Lithonia Man Convicted of Killing Transgender Woman at Motel
A jury has found a Lithonia man guilty of the murder of a transgender woman at a motel in 2020. Deontavious Brewer, 24, has been convicted on charges of felony murder, involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and two counts of aggravated assault. The verdict was delivered on August 10.
The victim, 39-year-old Kenneth Peaches Armstrong, was fatally shot on November 11, 2020, inside a room at the Knights Inn on Panola Road in Lithonia. She suffered multiple gunshot wounds. According to a witness present in the room, the shooting occurred while Armstrong and the witness were asleep. The witness discovered Armstrong had been struck by gunfire and immediately called 911. Although the witness did not witness the shooter, they were aware of an ongoing dispute between the victim, Brewer, and another co-defendant, 29-year-old Terrel Battle, who is also a transgender woman, over money.
Armstrong and Battle had been longtime friends who referred to each other as sisters. Armstrong had inherited a significant sum of money after her father’s passing and had shared some of it with Battle. However, when Battle asked for an additional $20, Armstrong refused. This request seemingly triggered the tragic events that followed.
Surveillance footage from the motel captured Brewer exiting a silver BMW driven by Battle, approaching the victim’s room, and firing eleven rounds through the window. The motel’s management revealed that Battle had resided in a neighboring room until Armstrong stopped paying for it, leading to Battle’s eviction.
A day after the murder, a relative of Battle informed the police about a Facebook post in which Battle had expressed her intent to shoot and kill Armstrong. The family member also disclosed that Brewer and Battle had visited their residence after the incident and discussed the act. Subsequently, Brewer and Battle were apprehended at an Atlanta apartment. Brewer reportedly confessed to the shooting, while Battle admitted to being the driver of the getaway vehicle.
In October 2022, Battle pleaded to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. She was then sentenced to 25 years, with 20 to be served in prison and the remainder on probation.
The conviction of Deontavious Brewer brings some closure to the tragic loss of Kenneth Armstrong, a transgender woman who lost her life in a senseless act of violence. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the transgender community, as they continue to battle discrimination and violence. The case also sheds light on the importance of fostering understanding and acceptance in society to prevent further tragedies.
