Testimony: Alleged Gunman Killed Friend by Mistake in Fatal Shooting Near High School

A Lawrenceville Police detective testified in a preliminary hearing Tuesday that Kevin Emanuel was the gunman in the Jan. 27 fatal shooting of Kevin Dawoyea near Phoenix High School.

However, Det. Kevin Dyals said the bullet was meant for someone else, and Emanuel, 21, and Dawoyea, 19, were friends, according to a Gwinnett Daily Post account of the hearing.

The shooting happened during the lunch hour near West Pike Street and McConnell Drive, approximately 100 yards from Phoenix High School (see this Patch video interview with Lawrenceville PD Capt. Greg Vaughn).

Emanuel and Dawoyea were reportedly in the area to pick up student Isaiah Lo, 17, who became involved in a fight with another student, identified as Jose Rivera. The fight escalated and included other people.

Dyals said after teenager Kendall Boone joined the fracas to aid Rivera, police believe Emanuel pulled out a gun, according to the newspaper. Dyals said Emanuel intended to shoot Boone, but the bullet hit Dawoyea instead.

Emanuel and Lo were both bound over to superior court Tuesday.  Emanuel is charged with murder, aggravated assault and violation of probation, and Lo is charged with aggravated assault.

Both are being held without bond, according to Gwinnett County Detention Center records.

Click here to read more on Tuesday’s hearing