Man sentenced to life for killing girlfriend, shooting 2 others at family gathering in DeKalb County

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A man received a life sentence for killing his girlfriend and shooting two other women at a family gathering in DeKalb County, prosecutors said Friday. Around 2:46 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2023, DeKalb County police responded to a reported shooting at a home on Waterton Drive in the Lithonia area, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. When officers arrived, they found Demario Flanagan standing next to a car. He claimed he’d shot women in the home after they attacked him with knives and told officers there were two guns inside the car. Investigators learned that Flanagan’s girlfriend, 26-year-old Eternity “Destiny” Johnson, had been hosting a gathering for friends and family at the home, which she and Flanagan had recently bought. Several adult family members and friends, their infant child and four other children were at the home at the time, during which the adults were drinking. Witnesses said Johnson had funded the purchase of the home and told some of the guests that Flanagan and his children were disrespecting her and spending all her money. Prosecutors said Johnson confronted Flanagan after the guests encouraged her to stand up for herself. Family members eventually separated the two. Flanagan went upstairs and returned carrying a rifle, asking why the women were still talking, according to the DA’s office. Flanagan then began shooting. He hit Johnson’s 32-year-old cousin two times, and she collapsed. He also shot a 31-year-old family friend as she tried to run away. She also collapsed, but was able to escape to the garage and hide with some of the children, who also ran when the shooting started. Flanagan approached Johnson, who was holding their infant and trying to reason with Flanagan. He took the baby, grabbed a second gun, and shot Johnson four times in her legs and pelvic area. She immediately collapsed. Flanagan then paced around the kitchen before grabbing knives and putting them in front of Johnson and her cousin. Prosecutors said the cousin asked Flanagan for help, and he replied, “Die b----, you tried to kill me.” Meanwhile, a 24-year-old woman who was friends with Johnson ran upstairs when the shooting started and hid in a bedroom with children. Flanagan returned upstairs, told the children to get out, then shot at the woman twice, missing her both times. The woman hid in a closet until officers arrived. Johnson was taken to the hospital, where she died of her injuries shortly after she arrived. Her cousin was critically injured, had to undergo several surgeries, was hospitalized for over a month and used a wheelchair for a year because of her injuries. The family friend suffered serious injuries and also underwent surgery. Officers did not notice any injuries on Flanagan and determined the physical evidence did not appear to support his claim that he was attacked. He was taken into custody without incident. On Tuesday, jurors found Flanagan, now 47, guilty of: Malice murder Felony murder Criminal attempt to commit murder Aggravated assault-family violence Two counts of aggravated assault Cruelty to children in the first degree Cruelty to children in the third degree Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony The judge then sentenced Flanagan to life with the possibility of parole, plus 60 years to serve consecutively. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.