A Fulton County jury has convicted an Atlanta man of murder for killing an acquaintance during an argument over a sidewalk dice game.

Dexter Beard, 29, gunned down Selemon Belai, 27, on June 3, 2014, at the intersection of Auburn Avenue and Bell Street in northeast Atlanta after an argument broke out over cheating, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard Jr. said.

Belai was shot in the back and legs five times. Beard was shot several times by Belai, and three other men in the area were also hit by gunfire during the exchange. Everyone but Belai survived.

Beard was arrested after being identified as the shooter. He was sentenced to life plus five years in prison.

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Apartment complex community members look at the stuffed animals, snacks and drinks that rest at the base of a basketball goal with balloons in memoriam of Ja’Nylen Greggs in Atlanta on Friday, June 20, 2025. The apartment complex community is mourning 12-year-old Greggs after he was killed in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com