Family of slain teen seeks maximum sentence for accused Walmart killer, his girlfriend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – The family of Antavius ​​Holton, who was fatally shot at a Fayetteville Walmart, viewed surveillance footage of the incident in court. They told FOX 5 Atlanta’s Eric Mock they want a guilty verdict and the maximum sentence for the man accused of killing him.

Kamira Holton recalled her close relationship with her older brother Antavius, whom she says she could call for almost anything.

“He never said ‘no’ to me,” she recalled with a smile. “I once said, ‘If you ever get tired, you can always say no,’ and she said, ‘You’re my sister.’ I’ll never say no.”

The 19-year-old was gunned down at the entrance to the store. Police say the shooter was Adrian Jelks, 19, who was a Walmart employee. Holton was killed and a nine-year-old girl was injured.

Jeffrey Richardson, Holton’s uncle, said his nephew had a bright future ahead of him. Before his death, he had launched his own clothing line.

“It went from printing in the kitchen on the kitchen counter to doing orders, you know, obviously overseas,” Richardson said. “And surprisingly, he made quite a bit of money doing that.”

The Holton family is demanding justice, insisting on the harshest possible sentence for the Jelks.

“I mean, this young man, if we can call him that, deserves to go and never have the chance to walk in the open air,” Richardson said bluntly.

During the opening day of Jelks’ trial, family members were subjected to graphic surveillance video from Walmart. It was a painful experience that Jevon McDowald, another of Holton’s uncles, says no one should ever have to witness.

“No family should ever have to go through this. I really just saw my nephew lying on the ground, fighting for his life,” she said.

The family is seeking a life sentence without parole for Jelks, calling him a coward for his actions.

Investigators have also charged Jelks’ girlfriend, Sandra Romero-Nunez, 19, with murder, alleging that she helped him. The Holton family also wants the maximum sentence for her if she is found guilty.