ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First/WALB) — A man from Grady County has pleaded guilty to killing a Kennesaw State University (KSU) student two years ago, according to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.

Samuel Harris, 22, was convicted of malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm in a school zone and tampering with evidence. A judge sentenced him to life in prison, the district attorney’s office said on Thursday, Feb. 19.

On May 18, 2024, Cobb County police were called to KSU’s student housing complex, where they found 21-year-old Alasia Franklin’s body. Detectives said Harris shot at her 11 times.

Harris was found 10 miles away from the scene with a .9mm Glock handgun, which was later linked to the crime through ballistic testing.

District Attorney Sonya F. Allen described Franklin as a high achiever. She was a rising junior who wanted to be a nurse practitioner, served on KSU’s homecoming court, was a member of the National Council of Negro Women and founded the school’s Integrated Health Science Club.

“Not only was she accomplished, but she also tried to see the good in everyone and make them better,” Allen said. “Harris, who was not a student, benefited from her love and generous traits, but he ultimately took her away from this world. It is not lost on me that this reckless, in-the-heat-of-the-moment act has caused another young person to spend decades in incarceration.”

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