A Georgia woman has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for the shocking, point-blank shooting of her friend during a memorial service in Brooklyn, New York.
Claudia Banton, 46, was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Delia Johnson.
The incident took place in August 2021 and stunned the Crown Heights community, as it unfolded during a candlelight vigil for another mutual friend.
Fatal Shooting at a Funeral Gathering
According to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, the crime occurred on August 4, 2021, in the evening. Banton and Johnson were attending a memorial service when, without warning, Banton walked up behind Johnson—who was speaking with others—and fired at least five shots, hitting her in the head at point-blank range.
The attack happened in front of a crowd of mourners. After the shooting, Banton fled the scene in a vehicle, leaving people running in fear and shock.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Banton was captured by U.S. Marshals in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 8, 2021, three months after the murder. She was extradited to New York and later stood trial.
In April 2024, a Brooklyn jury found her guilty of second-degree murder and weapon possession. On May 19, she received the maximum sentence of 23 years to life in prison.
DA Condemns “Cold-Blooded Execution”
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez described the killing as a “cold-blooded execution”. In a public statement, he said:
“This shooting was a cold-blooded execution of a woman who was attending a ceremony to honor a late friend. It is especially shocking that the defendant was so brazen as to carry out this murder among a crowd of mourners, causing chaos and fear as they ran from the gunfire. My thoughts are with Delia Johnson’s friends and family who are heartbroken by this senseless loss of life.”
A Life Cut Short
Delia Johnson, a mother, leaves behind a young daughter. Her death not only shook her family and friends but also sparked conversations about violence in communities that are already mourning loved ones.
The candlelight ceremony was meant to bring healing and remembrance—but it ended in more heartbreak.