Joshua Brandon Norris was a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta when he was accused of shooting fellow student, Frank Rashad Johnson, three times during a 2007 Halloween party at an Atlanta club.CNN: Student Who Shot Classmate to Graduate, No Jail Time (May 15, 2009)

As part of a controversial plea agreement, Norris was allowed to receive his diploma, along with approximately 500 other Morehouse students, during the college's graduation weekend, May 16-17, 2009.CNN: Student Who Shot Classmate to Graduate, No Jail Time (May 15, 2009)

During a January 27 2009 court hearing before Fulton County Judge Marvin Arrington, Norris pleaded no contest to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and the second charge, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, was dropped. As per a plea agreement worked out with prosecutor Reid Thompson, Norris was sentenced to "six years of probation, a $1,000 fine and 240 hours of community service." A condition of the plea agreement also mandated that Norris "remain in college and complete your college degree."AJC: Tale of Two Students with a Twist (May 10, 2009)

Reid Thompson, the prosecutor who cut the deal, later resigned from the Fulton District Attorney's office.AJC: Tale of Two Students with a Twist (May 10, 2009)

The owner of the Atlanta club where the incident occurred said Norris had been causing trouble and saw a club bouncer throw Norris out the front door. A few minutes later, gunshots were heard from outside the club and the club owner identified the shooter was the man who had been kicked out of the club.

Frank Rashad Johnson acknowledged during a CNN interview that while there was altercation outside the club and he did exchange words with Norris, he "didn't think much of it". According to Johnson, Norris drove up alongside him as he was walking to his car. Allegedly, Norris got out of his Hummer and pointed a gun at Johnson's head. Johnson's father had died three months earlier and at that point, Johnson said, "When he put the gun to my head, all I could think about was I'm not going to let this kid take me away from my mom, especially with what she's dealing with right now."CNN: Student Who Shot Classmate to Graduate, No Jail Time (May 15, 2009)

Johnson also told CNN that he managed to grab Norris' wrist and pull his arm down when when the first shots occurred. Johnson was shot three times and though he survived, he still has a bullet in his left leg.

An attorney for Norris told CNN that his client felt his life was threatened at the time and was defending himself.CNN: Student Who Shot Classmate to Graduate, No Jail Time (May 15, 2009)