CARJACKER CONVICTED OF MURDER, SENTENCED TO LIFE

Victim Shot While Trying to Escape Gunman

Atlanta- A Fulton County jury has convicted a would-be carjacker of murder for the 2007 shooting death of Mamadou Camara, 26. Defendant Lavaris Dawson, 22, will now serve a life sentence following his conviction on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

Mamadou Camara was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Washington Road apartment complex in February 2007. Camara was waiting in his car on another man to return with some goods when the defendant approached his vehicle at gunpoint and demanded his car. The victim instead attempted to flee the scene. The defendant fired shots into a rear window of the car striking the victim in the back. The bullets pierced Camara's lung and heart-killing him. The defendant was arrested several months later following tips to police. The defendant claimed he was simply shooting in the direction of the victim and did not realize he struck him.

Senior Judge Anne Workman of Dekalb Superior Court presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Dalia Racine with assistance from ADA Walter Yarbrough and DA Investigator Bernadette Hernandez. Detective Mark McGowan of the Fulton County Police Department led the initial investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov