Four Convicted in 2024 Shooting Death in Chickamauga

GEORGIA — Four individuals have been convicted in the shooting death of Dakota Bottomlee that occurred on October 31, 2024 at his residence in Chickamauga, Georgia.

A Walker County jury found Marcus Allen Chambers, James Logan Darty, Kayla Michelle McClure, and Brayden Niri Whatley guilty of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery, and Aggravated Assault.

On October 31, 2024, Walker County Sheriff’s deputies found Bottomlee deceased in his home from gunshot wounds, according to the L.M.J.C District Attorney’s Office.

An investigation showed shell casings from two separate firearms were recovered at the scene, along with a casing from a toy firearm.

During the investigation, law enforcement received a tip that McClure had been boasting about her involvement in the shooting.

Further interviews led to information that Darty, Chambers and Whatley were also involved in the incident.

Search warrants executed on the defendants’ social media accounts uncovered chats and videos documenting the planning, attempted cover-up, and boasting of what was intended to be an armed robbery of Bottomlee that ultimately resulted in his murder, L.M.J.C District Attorney’s Office says.

A firearm at Chambers’ residence was recovered and the shell casings were found to be a match from the scene, the GBI Crime Lab confirmed.

The second firearm that was used in the crime was not recovered and McClure admitted to pulling the trigger on an airsoft pistol while at Bottomlee’s residence.

On December 19, 2025, each individual was sentenced to Life in prison with the possibility of parole.