(Marietta, GA – March 7, 2024) Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announces that following separate trials, Marcus Bass, 61, and Peterson Paris, 33, were found guilty of murder by two different juries. Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill sentenced Bass to life without the possibility of parole plus five years for malice murder, two counts of felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony. Paris will be sentenced at a later date for felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

On June 14, 2022, the Acworth Police Department dispatched to the Kwik E Mart located at 3365 Acworth Oaks Drive for a possible robbery. Upon arrival, Acworth police found the store owner Abu Ahammed deceased from two gunshot wounds to the chest. Officers found the contents of the store counter were scattered on the floor and the cash register was lying on top of the victim’s feet.

Detective Victor Guevara, of the Acworth Police Department, secured surveillance footage from both the Kwik E Mart and the neighboring Splash of Class Car Wash. The footage revealed Peterson Paris entering the Kwik E Mart 20 minutes before the crime occurred. He was on the phone and left the store without making any purchases. Cell phone records confirmed that Paris was speaking with Marcus Bass during his time in the store.

After leaving the store, Paris was captured on the Splash of Class Car Wash surveillance footage meeting Bass near his vehicle, parked in the adjacent lot. Bass, wearing a black ski mask on his head, was seen placing a firearm in his waistband. Subsequently, Bass proceeded towards the Kwik E Mart while Paris repositioned the vehicle to face the farthest exit from the mart.

Upon entering the Kwik E Mart, Bass, with a ski mask partially concealing his face, swiftly drew his handgun and aimed it at the victim. He maintained his aim at Abu Ahammed for 52 seconds before discharging a round, striking him in the chest. Bass then moved behind the counter and fired a second shot hitting Ahammed in the chest.

Bass was unsuccessful in opening the cash register and left without any items from the Kwik E Mart. Bass exited the store and proceeded to the Splash of Class Car Wash, where he entered the passenger seat of his vehicle. Paris then swiftly drove away from the scene at a high rate of speed. The surveillance footage from the Kwik E Mart and Splash of Class Car Wash was taken to the nearby HomeTown Lodge, where several residents were able to positively identify Marcus Bass and Peterson Paris.

On June 17, 2022, Cobb County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Cobb County Police Department were able to locate Marcus Bass driving his vehicle, the same vehicle seen on the carwash surveillance video, and arrest Marcus Bass for the murder of Abu Ahammed. Inside Bass’ vehicle, police found a black ski mask and a handgun. These items were sent to the GBI for forensic testing. Both the ski mask and handgun returned with Marcus Bass’s DNA. Peterson Paris would be arrested on June 24th, 2022.

On Oct. 6, 2023, Marcus Bass was found guilty on all counts by a jury and was sentenced to life without parole plus five years. In a separate trial, on March 1, 2024, Peterson Paris was found guilty of felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

"The conviction of these individuals sends a resounding message: crime will not go unpunished in our community. The diligent work of law enforcement and the support of the community have ensured that those responsible for this senseless act will face the consequences of their actions,” said District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr.

Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green and Assistant District Attorney Jared Horowitz prosecuted Marcus Bass, while Assistant District Attorney Jared Horowitz and Assistant District Attorney Paul Camarillo prosecuted Peterson Paris on behalf of the state. The defendants, Marcus Bass and Peterson Paris were represented by Charles Engleberger and Herman Maddox Kilgore, respectively.

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