District Attorney Summer McWhorter Summerford announced today that Michael Gilreath, age 59 of Centre, was sentenced to LIFE in prison for ASSAULT, FIRST DEGREE for the 2019 shooting of a man on County Road 22 in Cherokee County.

On June 17, 2019, law enforcement was dispatched to a reported shooting in the Kirk’s Grove Community of Cherokee County close to the state line.  Upon investigation, it was discovered that the assault was captured on security cameras located at the victim’s residence, where the attack occurred.  The victim survived the assault and was able to tell law enforcement who attacked him.  The attack was also witnessed by the victim’s wife and sister.

Today, September 23, 2024, right before the jury selection process was to begin for a jury trial, Gilreath entered a guilty plea to assault, first degree and, because of his extensive criminal history, was sentenced to LIFE in prison by Circuit Judge Andrew Hairston.

“This has been a long hard process for the victim and his family.  We are so thankful that this ordeal is over for them, and they can move on with their lives without having to worry about coming to court.  This outcome is possible because of the cooperation of the victim and his family,” stated Summerford.  This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Chief Jeremy Stepps of the Cedar Bluff Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Summerford and Assistant District Attorney Stanna Guice.