JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man convicted of killing two people next to a Southside ATM more than two years ago was sentenced to life in prison on Friday.
A Duval County judge said the aggravating factors in the case left him no choice.
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A jury found Raishion Gist guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jamarion Barnes and Tyniya Powell in May.
Surveillance video showed Gist leaving a car that was parked next to an ATM in the Southpoint area in 2022.
Gist would eventually turn around and grab a bag from the car and continue running.
Barnes and Powell were inside that car where Gist had just shot and killed them.
The investigation revealed that Gist was trying to buy drugs but shot the two within seconds of arriving at the ATM.
Barnes was 21 and Powell was 20.
Gist then gave the gun he used to someone as a way to pay off debt.
When investigators found the gun they connected it to the shell casings found in the car.
During victim statements,Barnes’ mother stood at the podium but had her statement read on her behalf.
“Our life will never be the same again,” the statement read. “Not only did I lose my son but your mother also lost a son as well and now she shares in this grieving pain.”
Gist’s lawyers said they do intend to appeal the conviction.