2 Convicted In 2019 Applebee's Fight, Shooting: Douglas County DA

Douglasville GA

22 February, 2022

4:42 PM

Description

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — Two people were sentenced to prison time in connection with a fight and subsequent shooting that broke out at the Douglasville Applebee's parking lot in 2019 — a fight that started over an order of guacamole, according to the Douglas County District Attorney's Office. On June 6, 2019, Coren Boye-Owusu, who was a cook at the Applebee's on Thornton Road, got into an argument with a server over an order of guacamole. During the argument, both Boye-Owusu and the victim, who was not named, "alluded to a physical altercation," the DA's office said. Boye-Owusu's shift ended, and her boyfriend, Dakota Pitts, arrived at the restaurant. When the victim's shift ended about an hour later, the couple were still on the premises and started trying to fight the victim. During the fight, prosecutors said Pitts took out a gun and started shooting indiscriminately in the direction of the victim and the victim's family, who showed up to pick her up from work. A bystander was shot in the ankle and a car was damaged from the bullets, according to the DA's office. After the shooting, Boye-Owusu took the gun and hid it in her bag, later attempting to hide it under some pine straw, prosecutors said. Pitts claimed self defense and defense of others during the weeklong trial, but after hearing testimony from Douglas County Sheriff's Office deputies, multiple eyewitnesses and viewing surveillance video, the jury rejected Pitts' claims and convicted him. Pitts was found guilty of four counts of aggravated assault, one count of criminal damage to property in the first degree and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Boye-Owusu was found guilty of tampering with evidence. "The citizens of Douglas County should be able to enjoy a meal at a local eatery without the worry of gun violence. We will not stand for this egregious and dangerous behavior in our community," District Attorney Dalia Racine said. "By holding these offenders responsible, we are sending a message that Douglas County will remain a place where law-abiding citizens can enjoy, work and reside." Sentencing for Pitts and Boye-Owusu will be held at a later date. Pitts is facing a maximum of 95 years in prison, and Boye-Owusu is facing a maximum of three years, according to the DA's office.