Carlos Smith Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Gerardo Olivares

Defendant Convicted of 2003 Liquor Store Shooting Caught on Tape

Atlanta—Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following his conviction late last month, Carlos Smith (25) has been sentenced to life in prison plus five years (to be served consecutively) for the 21 February 2003 murder of Gerardo Olivares (31). Smith was previously found guilty of murder, felony murder (two counts), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, possession of a firearm by first-offender probationer, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Smith shot and killed Mr. Olivares in the parking lot of a liquor store at the intersection of University Avenue and Metropolitan Parkway in southwest Atlanta during an attempted robbery. He was arrested a block away at his grandmother’s home on Lexington Avenue. The shooting was videotaped by a nearby surveillance camera installed as a neighborhood security measure.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Clint Rucker prosecuted the case. Atlanta Police Detective M. Walker, along with Investigator Jerald Dalton of the District Attorney’s Office, investigated. Judge Gail Tusan presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404.224.0560 (office); 770.583.6069 (pager); erik.friedly@co.fulton.ga.us