Man sentenced to life in prison in 2023 murder at a Montgomery restaurant

Juqwarn Hartwell/Courtesy: Montgomery County Detention Facility

A man found guilty of a 2023 murder at a Montgomery restaurant will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Montgomery County District Attorney Azzie Oliver tells Action 8 News that Judge J.R. Gaines sentenced Juqwarn Hartwell to life in prison  in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man inside the Waffle House on Folmar Parkway.

Oliver says on May 22, Hartwell began arguing with an employee who was a friend of Rondarius McQueen.

McQueen intervened on her behalf, which resulted in a brief exchange of words between him and the suspect.

The situation escalated when Hartwell pulled a gun from his crossbody bag and fired at Mr. McQueen. According to witnesses’ testimony and video surveillance, Mr. McQueen was unarmed.

After shooting Mr. McQueen, Hartwell and his cousin fled the scene with their food.

Friends and family who were present with the victim rushed him to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

“There is simply no place in our community for people who show zero hesitation in taking a human life,” said District Attorney Oliver. “Judge Gaines’ sentence sends a strong message about the consequences of creating and responding to conflict with gun violence. Mr. McQueen’s family was unjustly robbed of years of memories with him and has had to endure the pain of his senseless death daily. While I know this sentence will never fully ease that, I hope it provides them with a path toward closure.”