AKRON, Ohio — An Akron man learned his fate Monday just days after a Summit County jury convicted him for fatally shooting a 20-year-old man back in the summer of 2021.
Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Jennifer Towell sentenced Desean Williamson to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
Williamson, now 25 years old, was found guilty of two counts of murder as well as one count of felonious assault on Friday for the killing of Gage Zirke.
“The murder of Gage Zirke will leave a void which will be felt by his family forever. My hope is today’s sentence will bring them peace knowing the person who did this will spend the rest of his life in prison,” said Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich.
Gage Zirke’s family released the following statement:
“While the sentencing today cannot undo the profound pain and loss we continue to experience, it represents a critical step toward justice. The impact of this tragedy on our family is immeasurable. The absence of Gage in our lives is felt every day and has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts. Gage was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend.”
Authorities say Zirke was fatally shot in the chest back on July 25, 2021, and was found dead inside a car on 11th Street Southwest in the Kenmore neighborhood. Witnesses said he had gotten into an argument with two suspects before being murdered, and both Williamson and another man named Teion Thompson were finally captured in Cleveland in March of 2023.
Thompson was previously accused of complicity to commit murder, but was later indicted for obstructing justice and ended up pleading guilty this past May. He is currently being held in the Summit County Jail while he awaits sentencing.
