News Summary
Jemarien Zachius Goree has been convicted of intentional murder in relation to the shooting death of Dwaine Thomas, a 17-year-old high school senior. The incident highlights growing concerns over youth gun violence in Birmingham. Thomas had a promising future ahead of him, as he was set to graduate soon. The verdict, rendered by a Jefferson County jury, came after a week-long trial, ultimately leading to Goree’s sentencing scheduled for August.
Birmingham – Jemarien Zachius Goree, a 21-year-old man, has been convicted of intentional murder in the shooting death of Dwaine Thomas, a 17-year-old senior at Carver High School. The incident occurred on May 16, 2022, a mere two weeks before Thomas was set to graduate. Although Goree did not personally fire the weapon, he was found guilty of providing the gun to 23-year-old Derrick Michael Stone Jr., who has already pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of murder.
The conviction verdict was delivered by a Jefferson County jury after a week-long trial overseen by Circuit Judge Kandice Pickett. While Goree initially faced a more serious charge of capital murder, the jury ultimately ruled in favor of the lesser charge, intentional murder. Goree has been ordered to be held without bond until his sentencing, which is scheduled for August 11.
During the trial, prosecutors called on 12 witnesses, including Stone himself, who testified in a manner that supported Goree’s defense. The evidence included recorded footage from witnesses who captured the events leading up to the shooting. The Birmingham police were present at the scene responding to an unrelated incident when they noticed a physical altercation involving Stone and Goree. Reports indicate that Dwaine Thomas appeared to be winning the fight before he was shot in the face by Stone while still in their vehicle.
After the shooting, Birmingham police officers pursued the suspects, who fled the scene in a small blue sedan. Thomas was discovered on the ground between two parked vehicles and was pronounced dead at 5:55 p.m. The tragedy took place at an apartment complex parking lot on Tuscaloosa Avenue SW, adding to a troubling history of gun violence in the Birmingham area impacting youth.
Dwaine Thomas had a bright future ahead of him. He was not only a dedicated baseball player for the Carver Rams but had also met his graduation requirements by December of the previous year. In his final semester, Thomas was involved in a co-op program with plans to attend electrician school in October and harbored aspirations of becoming an architect. His principal described him as a good student known for his adherence to school rules, further underscoring the sense of loss within the community.
Thomas’s mother, Deana Casco, expressed profound sorrow over her son’s death. She described him as a kind-hearted individual and acknowledged the significant impact that his loss has had on family and friends. This incident has sparked wider concerns as Birmingham has seen a rising trend in youth gun violence, with Thomas being one of the latest victims. In response to the incident, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has highlighted the urgent need for preventative measures to address the increasing gun violence among young people.
Following Thomas’s death, Carver High School offered grief counselors to support both students and staff in processing the tragedy. This gesture illustrates the community’s attempt to cope with the pain and trauma arising from such a senseless act of violence.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Man Found Guilty of Killing Birmingham Teen
- Wikipedia: Gun Violence in the United States
- ABC3340: Family Mourns Slain Birmingham High School Student
- Google Search: Gun Violence Among Youth
- WBRC: Carver High School Mourning Loss of Dwaine Thomas
- Google Scholar: Impact of Gun Violence on Youth
- WVTM13: School Threats in Alabama
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violence
- WVTM13: 16-Year-Old Arrested for Threats
- Google News: Carver High School
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
