(Lawrenceville, Ga., 12/23/25) – A Lawrenceville man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing a woman he was dating.

Ray Charles Evans, 35, pled guilty to malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the December 2022 shooting death of 29-year-old Shakiyla De’Von Sample.

“We offer our condolences to the family of Ms. Sample,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Our hope is that this outcome allows her family to heal.”

On Dec. 15, 2022, police were called to a home on Prospect Church Road in Lawrenceville after Sample was found shot to death in a guest bedroom. She had been there visiting Evans. Homeowners who were friends of Evans’ reported hearing gunshots coming from the bedroom and found that Evans was gone when they went to check on the shooting.

Police later found Evans naked in his car in Forsyth County. He was arrested and admitted to shooting Sample.

As prosecutors prepared for trial, Evans requested to take a plea deal. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Assistant District Attorney Ramika Gourdine Palmer and Managing Assistant District Attorney Drew Unger prosecuted the case with assistance from Investigators Matthew Cleland and Christian Robinson and Victim Witness Advocate Sussy Key. The Gwinnett County Police Department and the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office were invaluable in closing this case.

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