A man convicted of a September 2011 murder has been sentenced for a murder caught on videotape. 26-year old Kennard Gay received the maximum sentence of life in prison, but could be eligible for parole after serving 21 years in prison, for the murder of Melvin Coleman outside the Kelly's Drive Thru on Copley Road.

The sentence stems from an argument with Coleman and Gay's mother in the parking lot of the drive thru over a dog.

When Gay got out of the car, he confronted Coleman about his accusations against his mother and when the argument continued, Gay shot Coleman three times, hitting him in the hand, face, and chest.

Summit County Prosecutors say the shooting was captured on multiple security cameras.

Press Release:

Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced today that Judge Lynne Callahan imposed the maximum sentence of life in prison for Kennard S. Gay, 26, of East Avenue in Akron.

A jury found Gay guilty of Murder with a gun specification and Having Weapons Under Disability, a felony of the third degree, on April 30.

On September 10, 2011, Gay, his mother and another female drove to Kelly’s Drive Thru on Copley Road. Gay’s mother got into an argument with a man in the parking lot about whether or not she had another man’s dog.

The dog owner, Melvin Coleman, arrived shortly thereafter and accused Gay’s mother of having his dog. Gay eventually got out of the car and told Coleman to stop accusing his mother.

When Coleman continued with his accusation, Gay pulled a gun from his pocket and shot Coleman three times, hitting him in the hand, face and chest. Coleman died from wounds to his aorta, thorax and lung.

The shooting was captured on multiple security cameras. Gay will be eligible for parole after serving 21 years in prison