2 men facing murder charges after planned drug deal robbery left two others dead
Mike Gallagher
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Two men are facing murder charges after a drug deal turned robbery left two people dead early Jan. 22, according to DeKalb County police.
Officers were called to the Brannon Hills Condominiums around 1:27 a.m. after reports of a shooting. Police found two men inside a vehicle on Brannon Hills Road suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims were identified as Yohanis Birkuta, 18, and Ali Fadavi, 25.
Investigators said Birkuta, Fadavi and Abdul Sharif, 21, had driven to an address on Valleybluff Drive to buy marijuana from Eliel Gerardo, 19.
According to police, Birkuta and Fadavi attempted to rob Gerardo and opened fire. Gerardo returned fire, striking both men, authorities said.
Police said Sharif drove the victims back to Brannon Hills and left them in the vehicle without contacting law enforcement or providing aid.
Gerardo is charged with two counts of felony murder and conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. He is hospitalized for treatment of injuries.
Sharif is charged with two counts of felony murder, conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act and two counts of concealing the death of another person. He is being held in the DeKalb County Jail.
