The Real Murders of Atlanta is investigating the murder of Vernon Forrest, a championship-winning boxer, who was gunned down in the street by Charmon Sinkfield following a robbery in Atlanta, Georgia.
On July 25, 2009, Forrest was driving with his 11-year-old godson when they pulled into a gas station to allow the boy to use the restroom.
Forrest was putting air in his tires when Sinkfield and his accomplices, Jquante Crews and Demario Ware, spotted the boxer’s fancy watch and ring and decided to rob him.
Ware pointed a gun at Forrest and stole his Rolex watch and championship ring before fleeing the scene. The boxer grabbed his gun and ran after Ware, hoping to retrieve his belongings.
The thief ran into an apartment complex and was hiding there when Forrest encountered an armed Sinkfield. Forrest was backing off and had turned away when Sinkfield opened fire, hitting him seven times, five times in the back. The boxer was 38.
Crews picked up Ware in the getaway car before returning to collect Sinkfield.
Police identified Charmon Sinkfield and accomplices after Vernon Forrest murder
The cops found that a number of witnesses had seen the robbery, and other witnesses had also seen the murder. The police were able to identify the culprits fairly quickly.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelForrest’s godson witnessed the robbery and identified Ware from a photo lineup. Thankfully, the boy did not witness the murder.
Ware admitted to robbing Forrest but claimed that murdering him had not been discussed.
Sinkfield, Ware, and Crews sentenced to life for killing Vernin Forrest
Sinkfield was identified as the trigger man, but all three received the same sentence. They were all convicted of murder and given life without the possibility of parole.
Ware and Crews are currently incarcerated in the Macon State Prison at Oglethorpe, GA, and Sinkfield is housed at Valdosta State Prison in Valdosta, GA.
Forrest had attended the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for Team USA. He later won welterweight and junior middleweight titles and had a professional record of 41-3.
Boxing promoter Gary Shaw paid tribute to Forrest: “I will say this about him. He was a decent human being. His work with kids, I think people knew how much he cared for kids, underprivileged and mentally challenged people. He was a real decent human being outside the ropes.”
The Real Murders of Atlanta airs Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen.