The trial of Julian Conley, the man charged with the killing of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner on July 4, 2020 is set to begin today, Monday, Sept. 15. Conley is accused of shooting the young girl during the weeks-long protests in the aftermath of the police shooting and killing of Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy’s Parking lot at University Avenue and Pryor Street in Atlanta.
The death of Turner occurred during the protests and riots across the city spawned by Brooks’ death. The Wendy’s was set ablaze in the aftermath of the shooting. Active protests in the area were predominantly non-violent, although ultimately armed individuals began marching the streets and blocking access to the area surrounding the site.
Atlanta police said Turner and her mother were driving past the Wendy’s where the police shooting occurred when gunfire erupted and the SUV they were riding in was shot at. Investigators said the girl was riding in a vehicle with her mother and an adult friend when they exited the interstate onto University Avenue. The driver was attempting to enter the parking lot at 1238 Pryor Road when he was confronted by a group of armed individuals who had blocked the entrance.
At some point, someone in that group opened fire on the vehicle, hitting it multiple times and striking 8-year old Secoriea Turner who was inside. Police said the driver then drove to Atlanta Medical Center for help. The child died at the hospital.
Conley and his co-defendant Jerrion McKinney were allegedly among a group of armed individuals protesting in the area surrounding the restaurant and blocking street access when gunfire erupted. The Wendy’s became ground zero for week-long rallies and protests that followed the police shooting of Brooks, who was asleep in his car in the restaurant’s parking lot.
Last week, Conley’s co-defendant Jerrion McKinney, 28, pleaded guilty in a Fulton County court to being responsible for the 2020 shooting death of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner. Reportedly, McKinney, maintaining that he did not kill the 8-year-old girl, accepted an Alford plea for gang and firearm charges in the case. The plea was entered on September 10, 2025, and resulted in a 40-year sentence, with 20 years to be served in prison
McKinney admitted to taking a loaded rifle to a makeshift blockade set up near the Wendy’s restaurant on Pryor St. and University Avenue during protests triggered by the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks. McKinney and his co-defendant Julian Conley were among a group of armed individuals protesting in the area surrounding the Wendy’s restaurant and blocking street access when gunfire erupted.
The Wendy’s, which in the aftermath of active protests and massive marches was burned to the ground five years ago after the police-shooting of Brooks.
Brooks was asleep in the parking lot of a Wendy’s restaurant on the night of July 10, 2020 at University Ave. and Pryor Rd. When two police officers aroused the sleeping, but affable Brooks, they suspected that he may have been drinking and proceeded to place him under arrest. Brooks attempted to evade police and grabbed an inactive taser while running from the two officers. Officers maintained that Brooks was killed in self-defense, even though bystander video shows the officers collecting bullet casings before calling for help or rendering assistance to the dying man.
Neither officer was charged in the shooting.
