A Spalding County jury convicted Kaomarion Kendrick in the shooting death of 14-year-old Emmanuel Dorsey outside Griffin Memorial Stadium.
GRIFFIN, Ga. — A Georgia judge sentenced Kaomarion Lashaun Kendrick to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 85 years, this week after a Spalding County jury found him guilty in the 2023 killing of 14-year-old Emmanuel Dorsey outside a rivalry football game between Griffin and Spalding high schools.
The sentencing caps a case that rattled families across Griffin and underscored safety concerns at large school events. Jurors returned guilty verdicts Jan. 30 on felony murder and other counts, including three violations of the state’s racketeering law. Prosecutors said the gunfire followed a confrontation between rival groups as crowds left the Sept. 30, 2023 game at Griffin Memorial Stadium. The judge’s order means Kendrick, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, will spend the rest of his life in prison, with additional years stacked for related charges.
Investigators said a fight near the stadium’s exit escalated shortly after the final whistle, drawing teenagers and adults into the street as traffic backed up around the venue. In the chaos, Kendrick pulled a handgun and fired, striking Dorsey as he tried to run, according to trial testimony summarized in court. Witnesses described a frantic scene of parents yelling for their children and students scattering behind cars and concession stands. Officers and medics responded within minutes, but Dorsey was pronounced dead after being hit in the neck and face. “This case rocked our community,” Acting District Attorney David Studdard said after the verdict, praising jurors and investigators for staying with a complex, months-long prosecution.
Authorities said Kendrick fled Griffin that night and was arrested eight days later in neighboring Henry County. At the time of his capture, officers recovered a pistol later examined by the state crime lab; in court, prosecutors said the weapon had been modified with a device capable of rapid fire. The panel convicted Kendrick of felony murder, aggravated assault, gun possession during a felony, possession of a handgun by a person under 18, and three counts under Georgia’s street gang terrorism and prevention statute. Defense attorneys argued he was not a gang member and disputed parts of the eyewitness accounts. Jurors deliberated over multiple days before returning unanimous findings on all major counts.
Records and prior reporting show the shooting unfolded as alumni and students poured onto Taylor Street, a busy corridor near Griffin High School, after the city’s storied rivalry game. Police credited surveillance video, social media clips and cell phone records with helping trace Kendrick’s movements before and after the shots. Detectives also fielded dozens of tips, including from students who were at the concession plaza and parking lots when the crowd surged. The high-profile case prompted additional patrols at subsequent games and renewed discussions about exit plans and street closures around the stadium on game nights.
Superior Court Judge Benjamin D. Coker delivered the sentence after hearing from Dorsey’s family and from community members who attended the trial. Dorsey’s mother, Charlotte Williams, told the court she wanted justice for her son while acknowledging the toll on both families. “He was a child with plans, and we’re the ones left with the memories,” Williams said. Studdard said the outcome signaled that violent acts around school events would be met with firm consequences. Griffin-Spalding County Schools said it would continue coordinating with police on security for large crowds.
With sentencing complete, the case moves into the post-trial phase. Kendrick remains in state custody and may pursue an appeal through Georgia’s appellate courts, a process that could take months. Prosecutors said they are closing out related filings and plan to release a summary of evidence admitted at trial. The district attorney’s office did not indicate any pending charges against other individuals from the stadium melee. As of now, the next milestone will be the filing of a notice of appeal, if pursued, and the preparation of the full trial transcript for review.
Author note: Last updated February 5, 2026.