MAN TO BE SENTENCED ON MURDER, ASSAULT, OTHER CHARGES AFTER GUILTY VERDICT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Erran Huber
Public Information Officer
O: (502) 595-2300 | ext. 3118
C: (502) 234-4311
COMMONWEALTH VS. DESMOND DESHAWN SHAW
JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO. 24CR2446
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (4/17/2026): Louisville’s Chief Prosecutor, Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers, shared today that following a jury trial, DESMOND DESHAWN SHAW was found guilty on Thursday, April 16, 2026, on all counts of his multiple criminal charges. The jury in the case recommended a penalty of 35 years in total. The defendant waived separate sentencing and was sentenced by the judge on April 17, 2026, to the penalty the jury recommended.
“Many lives have been tragically altered by the deadly decision of the defendant, but this outcome give justice to the victims affected and their family members. We remain steadfast in making sure those who endanger our community by gun violence are held accountable, and we thank the jury for their resolution in this case.”
Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers.
The following is the full prison sentence for DESMOND DESHAWN SHAW:
- Murder: 35 years
- Assault in the First Degree: 10 years
- Assault in the First Degree: 10 years
- Criminal Mischief in the First Degree: 1 year
- Theft by Unlawful Taking (Firearm): 1 year
All sentences were recommended to run concurrently for a total of 35 years.
The defendant is not eligible for probation or shock probation, and must serve at least 20 years of his sentence before being eligible for parole on these charges.
The jury found SHAW guilty after hearing witness testimony and evidence of the following:
On 7/22/2024 in JEFFERSON County, Kentucky, the above-named defendant unlawfully: while parked in a vehicle with victim 2 became engaged in a verbal altercation with victim and victim 3 while they were sitting in an adjacent vehicle. Victim 2 got out of the vehicle and attempted to de-escalate the situation, placing herself in between the defendant and victims 1 and 3. The defendant then grabbed victim 2’s handgun that was located inside the vehicle he was in and fired multiple rounds at the other vehicle. The rounds struck all three victims, fatally injuring victim 1. The defendant then backed into the other vehicle, causing damage (over $500), and fled the scene in victim 2’s vehicle without permission. Police were called. All three victims were transported to U of L Hospital for medical treatment. Victim 2 suffered from a gunshot wound to the arm, requiring surgery. Victim 3 suffered a gunshot wound to her back shoulder blade. Victim 1 was shot in the head and succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital. Victim’s 2 and 3 were previously intimate with the defendant. Victim 1 is the new boyfriend of victim 3.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys J. Maxell Gosman and Isaac Fain were the prosecutors on this case.
The work on this case reflects the office’s aggressive pursuit of the first of Attorney Whethers’ 2025 G.R.A.C.E. in the Community public safety goals: Gun safety. G.R.A.C.E. in the community also includes Roadway safety, the pattern of Abuse of drugs and narcotics in our communities, embracing Community and collaborative stakeholders, and efforts to Educate our youth and share more insights about our laws.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney (30th Judicial Circuit) aggressively prosecutes felony, major, and violent crimes and is committed to the ethical and fair pursuit of justice. For more information on the Office’s dedication to public safety, visit louisvilleprosecutor.com
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