Raishion Gist, a Jacksonville resident, was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the 2022 murder of a couple at an ATM on Bowden Road.
At about 9:30 p.m. on June 20, officers arrived at the intersection of Bowden Road and Spring Park Road after receiving a report of a shooting.
Jamarion Barnes, 21, and Tyniya Powell, 20, were shot multiple times.
Barnes died at the scene, and Powell later passed away from her injuries at a local hospital.
The Incident
According to Gist's arrest warrant, one of the victims communicated with Gist via texts and FaceTime calls earlier that day.
They arranged to pick up Gist near his house, which is less than a mile from the scene.
Earlier in the day, Gist texted one of the victims, saying, "Hey, I need a ride because my supplier is still in Texas."
The warrant also said when they arrived at the ATM, Gist, who was in the back seat of the car, killed the couple and stole a gun from one of the victims.
One of the victims' phones was left in the car and later collected as evidence.
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| The victims |
Surveillance footage recorded key moments that assisted detectives in their investigations.
The video appears to show first responders pull the male victim out of the driver's side and perform life-saving measures.
While Barnes was pronounced dead in the car, police said they found Powell lying on the ground outside of the passenger side of the car.
The keys were in the ignition, police said.
Officers said before they could notify next of kin, loved ones began showing up to the scene.
Family and friends say Barnes and Powell were dating.
Barnes left behind a 9-month-old daughter.
Court Proceedings
Raishion Gist, now 22, was arrested and charged with the murders two days later.
The first witnesses called was Powell's mother.
She said her daughter's death shattered her into a million pieces and referred to her death as a "life sentence."
Powell's younger sister, Taleyah Goodan, wearing a shirt with pictures of Powell's face, told the court that she will never witness her sister get married or succeed in life
Barnes' sister also spoke to the court.
She described him as exceptional, sweet, loving, and cool.
She said every day is a struggle without him.
"It was his kindness that led him to be taken advantage of by someone he trusted," she added.
Terri Barnes, Barnes' mother, said her life was forever changed and she cherished the memory of her son's smile.
She mentioned that Powell was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and acknowledged that Gist's mother also lost a son.
Terri Barnes also noted that Barnes' young daughter had only one Father's Day with her father before he was killed.
Barnes said she recently lost her son Jamarion and her other son, Jelijah, to gun violence within 100 days.
She said Jamarion Barnes's daughter will soon be three years old.
Prosecutor Joseph Licandro described the killings as senseless and unnecessary.
He labeled Gist's actions as "cowardly, diabolical, and almost sociopathic."
Licandro pushed for a life sentence which was granted.
In May, a jury convicted Gist of the murders, and he has since been sentenced to life in prison.
Attorney Obinna Prince Anum said Gist maintains his innocence and intends to appeal the sentence.
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