A former card dealer at a Macon nightclub, Andrew Mullis, 23, has been found guilty of murder following the fatal shooting of security guard Dedrick Lamont Bulls outside the Full House Tavern Nightclub. The announcement was made by District Attorney Anita Howard on Thursday.
Mullis was convicted on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The incident occurred after Mullis was asked to leave the club for excessive drinking. According to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, an argument about boxing led to the confrontation between Mullis and Bulls.
“Bulls was discussing boxing with his nephew when Mullis intervened, claiming his brother was also a boxer,” stated the district attorney’s office. “After being dismissed, Mullis called his brother, a known acquaintance of Bulls, and tried to engage him in a conversation about boxing skills. Bulls approached Mullis and reached for the phone, intending to speak to the brother.
“Mullis abruptly snatched his phone away and drew a firearm. Bulls, seemingly confused by the display of the weapon, struck the phone out of Mullis’s hand. Mullis immediately raised the firearm and shot Bulls in the face. Bulls died from his injuries five days later.”
During court proceedings, Mullis argued that he acted out of fear for his life due to threats from tavern staff and felt threatened in the moment he fired his weapon. However, evidence presented contradicted these claims.
“However, evidence presented at trial contradicted both claims,” said the district attorney’s office. “Trial witnesses confirmed that neither Bulls nor anyone else at the nightclub was aggressive toward Mullis.”
The prosecution team included Assistant Deputy Chief Jeremy B. Johnson and Assistant Deputy Chief Alveta Watkins from the district attorney’s office.
Mullis received a sentence of life in prison plus five years.
District Attorney Howard commented: “Mr. Mullis spent hours socializing peacefully with the victim, only to pull a gun and shoot him in the face over a trivial dispute. This senseless act of violence took a father, a friend, and a valued member of our community. The jury’s verdict and this life sentence reflect the gravity of his crime and our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.”
