Judge advances Palmetto Bojangles restaurant shooting case
Judge advances Palmetto restaurant shooting case
The criminal case against a Palmetto restaurant manager named Maurice Evans accused of killing a coworker’s father will move forward after a judge ruled there is enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The criminal case against a Palmetto restaurant manager accused of killing a coworker’s father will move forward after a judge ruled there is enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury.
What we know:
A Fulton County magistrate judge made the decision Tuesday following a preliminary hearing in the case against Maurice Evans, who is accused of shooting and killing Dominique Goodman outside a Bojangles restaurant in Palmetto.
Prosecutors say the shooting followed a heated argument inside the restaurant between Evans, a shift manager, and employee Amari Goodman. According to testimony from a Palmetto police detective, the dispute began over an open drive-thru window and later escalated into a disagreement over cross-contamination concerns.
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What they're saying:
Investigators said Amari Goodman told Evans she would call her father for help and inadvertently called him during the argument. After hearing the confrontation, Dominique Goodman went to the restaurant. Authorities testified that he arrived unarmed.
During the hearing, a detective described witness statements indicating gunshots were heard and that Evans allegedly continued firing after Goodman was already down. Prosecutors say there were two eyewitnesses to the shooting.
Evans has claimed he acted in self-defense. He is currently facing multiple charges, including murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
What's next:
Senior Judge Alford Dempsey decided on Tuesday afternoon to deny bond to Evans, citing a potential danger to the community. He will remain in custody at this time.