Thomas Massenburg, 23, was found guilty of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury deliberated for five hours. The trial, presided over by Judge Howard Sturim, began on September 11, 2024. Massenburg is scheduled for sentencing on December 5, and faces up to 50 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors said Massenburg, an alleged member of the Mac Baller Bloods gang, opened fire at a house party on West Drive after a fight broke out. He fatally shot Rashawn Cummings in the leg and back and injured another man, who survived. “Thomas Massenburg threw a Fourth of July party into complete chaos when he took out a loaded weapon and shot at multiple party goers,” DA Donnelly said in a statement.
The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. on July 4, 2020, after tensions escalated between two groups. Massenburg retrieved a gun from a friend and shot Cummings during the altercation. Afterward, he passed the weapon to another gang member, Quran Blue, who fired additional shots outside the house.
Massenburg was arrested in June 2021, and two others involved—Learyk Jarvis and Quran Blue—have also been sentenced for weapons charges related to the incident.
