California man sentenced to 50 years for role in deadly 2022 Gulfport shooting

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – District Attorney W. Crosby Parker announced that 22-year-old Makhari Seven Gasaway, of Los Angeles, California, has pleaded guilty for his role in a 2022 murder in Gulfport.

On Friday, October 11, Gasaway was convicted of one count of murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of tampering with evidence.

The investigation into the homicide began on June 21, 2022, when Gulfport police were called to 39th Avenue after a shooting was reported from an apartment complex.

READ ALSO: Man charged with murder in fatal shooting in Gulfport (June 24, 2022)

Upon arrival, officers found 27-year-old Brushawn Shawmayne McClam dead from two gunshot wounds and his sister, 21-year-old Kenisha McClain, also injured with three gunshot wounds.

McClain told police that she and her sibling were shot by an unknown black man wearing dark clothing and entered their apartment around midnight.

Detectives watched video surveillance from more than 20 locations in Gulfport and, after the shooting, followed the suspect’s trail on a bicycle to another apartment complex where they found the bicycle.

A search warrant was obtained to take the bicycle and search the nearby apartment where they found the identification, firearm and clothing Gasaway was wearing at the time of the crime.

Detectives interviewed Gasaway, who admitted the firearm was his, and went to the apartment to meet McClam, whom he met through a dating website.

Gasaway eventually admitted to firing into the apartment and shooting McClam when he learned McClam was a man.

According to ADA Chris Daniel, Gasaway admitted that he deleted all messages with McClam after the murder.

During the plea hearing, Judge Lisa Dodson stated, “Why didn’t you just walk away? I don’t understand why you react so deeply that you shoot someone. Nobody did anything to you. The family will suffer forever, and you will receive a long sentence.”

Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced Gasaway to a combined sentence of 50 years, with 20 suspended, and 30 years in prison, with five years of post-release supervision reporting.

“This senseless and tragic crime caused tremendous loss to the family and friends of Brushawn McClam,” prosecutors said. “This is an important day for the family as they seek justice for the loss of a beloved son and brother or sister. We appreciate the hard work, dedication and commitment of the Gulfport Police Department that secured this arrest and conviction.”

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