A Valdosta man has been sentenced to life without parole plus 96 years for a deadly shooting at a DeKalb County restaurant. James Elderidge Scott, 49, was found guilty by a jury of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.
The incident occurred on June 10, 2022, at a restaurant inside South DeKalb Mall. Three people were injured and 48-year-old Daletavious McGuire was killed. The altercation began after Scott brushed against one of the victim’s fiancée and escalated, leading to gunfire.
Surveillance footage showed Scott wearing a high-visibility vest and a wide-brimmed straw hat during the shooting. He fired multiple rounds inside the restaurant before leaving with a beer pitcher and continuing to shoot at cars in the parking lot. The next day, a mall security guard found clothing matching the shooter’s attire, which was later linked to Scott through DNA evidence.
With help from Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta and an anonymous tip, authorities arrested and charged Scott. On Wednesday last week, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams issued the sentence. The prosecution team included Senior Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Atakora and members of the Homicide and Gangs Unit.
