DA: Macon man pleads guilty in domestic violence shooting, avoids prison time

The defendant fired at his former girlfriend and her daughter, then received a suspended prison sentence.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Macon man pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting at his former girlfriend and her daughter during a domestic violence incident in 2022, just after a jury was selected for his trial.

According to a news release from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Darius McKenzie entered guilty pleas to two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Prosecutors say the incident happened on the night of December 11, 2022. McKenzie’s then-girlfriend and her daughter were trying to leave their home when McKenzie arrived intoxicated and agitated. According to the release, McKenzie blocked their vehicle with his own car and fired a gun into the air before driving away. He later returned and fired directly at the victims, according to the district attorney’s office.

The release says that after jury selection was completed, McKenzie entered what is known as a blind plea, meaning no sentence agreement was reached with prosecutors in advance. The state asked the court to sentence McKenzie to 15 years, with the first eight years to be served in prison.

The court imposed a 15-year sentence with eight years to serve, but suspended the prison time, which means McKenzie will not serve time behind bars.

District Attorney Anita Howard said her office was prepared to take the case to trial.

“A jury was chosen and we were ready to go to trial,” Howard said in a statement. “We are committed to pursuing domestic violence cases regardless of the obstacles because every act of violence deserves to be answered.”

The district attorney’s office said domestic violence cases can be especially difficult to prosecute, citing pressure on victims and the ongoing cycle of abuse. The office says it remains committed to pursuing accountability in such cases to protect victims and prevent future violence.