A Jefferson Parish judge sentenced a man to life in prison Friday for fatally shooting his former girlfriend outside of a Metairie apartment, according to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Arnold Magee, 37, was convicted last month of second-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Kawana Tibbit. The killing with a “military-style rifle” was recorded by a video surveillance camera, something Jefferson Parish District Judge Donnie Rowan made note of when sentencing Magee.
“I watched you walk around like this was Beirut, like this was a war-torn country,” Rowan said.
Tibbit was shot on the morning of July 2, 2020, at an apartment complex in the 4100 block of Hessmer Avenue in Fat City. She and Magee had recently separated after five years of dating, authorities said.
The two began arguing over money when she went to the apartment to gather her things. During the quarrel, Tibbit answered a phone call from her boyfriend, who said he headed over, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Tibbit ran to her car as Magee armed himself with a Bushmaster rifle and shot her twice while she was in her vehicle, authorities said.
Though Magee’s attorney argued he acted in self-defense, jurors rejected the claim, finding him guilty of the murder on Feb. 22.
