Editor’s note: Story was updated August 2024.
A man has pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the death of a 19-year-old woman at a southeast Atlanta apartment complex in June 2023.
Lavar McNair, 18, pleaded guilty in July to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and gang charges for shooting and killing ShaNorria Wyche on June 24, 2023 in the parking lot of an Atlanta apartment complex.
He was sentenced to 20 years. Eight years must be served in prison and seven years on probation. The remaining five years of the sentence can be suspended if he doesn’t violate any further laws, according to court records.
According to an arrest warrant, Wyche was struck in the head when McNair shot at a vehicle at the Capitol Vanira Apartments on Hank Aaron Drive. Atlanta police said they responded to the complex around 10:30 p.m. and pronounced Wyche dead at the scene.
McNair shot at a man and at least one of his bullets entered a woman’s home and nearly struck her, the warrant stated.
As part of the plea, McNair can’t contact the Wyche family and agreed to testify truthfully in any future prosecution involving the June 24, 2023 incident. McNair is also banned from Fulton County, except for legal proceedings, can’t be involved with gangs and can’t have any social media presence.
A GoFundMe account created by a friend of Wyche said she had dreams of making her mother proud by earning her college diploma.
“For our beloved baby girl ShaNorria, who was wrongfully taken from us too soon. ... With so much potential and promise at the tender age of 19, we are now forced to say our final goodbyes,” Brittany Bell wrote.
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