Dontae Lashaun Drumgold, a 29-year-old man from Virginia, has been sentenced to 53 years in prison for the murder of his 25-year-old roommate, Elijah Williams. The killing occurred in March 2022 after the two were being evicted for failing to pay rent. Drumgold was convicted of first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Prosecutors highlighted the premeditation involved in the crime, noting that Drumgold had expressed frustration over his living situation and was aware of his roommate’s work schedule.
On the morning of March 23, 2022, Drumgold waited outside their apartment and shot Williams in the head as he was leaving for work. Investigators found that the roommates had been in a dispute over unpaid rent, and text messages between them revealed that Williams had refused to cover Drumgold’s share. Drumgold was arrested a month later, and his journal entries revealed disturbing thoughts about violence. One entry read, “I prefer a bullet to the head, it typically does the trick, but see, the game is only fun if you don’t get caught.”
The evidence presented in court showed that Drumgold had been planning the murder, making the crime a premeditated act of violence. After the murder, he expressed frustration that he would still be responsible for his share of the rent. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, and Drumgold will serve a lengthy sentence in prison, with five years of probation required after his release.
