Kadarrian “KD” Johnson, 18, of Prentiss, pleaded guilty Monday morning at the Jefferson Davis County Courthouse of the first-degree murder of Jarriyon Davis.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges for the shooting of Brandon Dedeaux

The charges arose out of an incident off of Highway 84 in Lucas on the evening of Nov.14, 2021,  when Johnson opened fire on Davis and Dedeaux from the backseat of Davis’s vehicle.

Davis suffered multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Dedeaux was shot multiple times, but survived his injuries.

“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of one man, almost took the life from another, and caused unfathomable grief to their friends and family,” said 15th District Attorney Hal Kittrell.

Johnson also entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault for a shooting out of Lawrence County that occurred on Sept. 3, 2023.

Fifteenth Circuit Court Judge Prentiss Harrell sentenced Johnson to serve 40 years in prison for the murder of Davis and 20 years to serve for the aggravated assault of Dedeaux.

Johnson was sentenced to 20 years to serve for the aggravated assault out of Lawrence County with all three sentences to be served concurrent with one another.

Due to Johnson being a juvenile at the time of the murder, 40 years is the maximum sentence Judge Harrell could impose by law and he is not eligible for parole or early release.

“I hope this conviction brings some closure and comfort knowing Johnson will be in prison for the next four decades,” said Kittrell.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Reginald “Chip” Lewis and Laurel Brinkley.

“I would like to thank all the local and State law enforcement agencies that worked together investigating this case,” said Kittrell.

“Thanks to their hard work, we were able to take a violent individual off the streets of Jefferson Davis County,” he said.