Life Sentence for Gunman in Shocking Palm Beach Traffic Murder Case

Northlake Boulevard and North Military Trail, Palm Beach County, USA - In a somber closure to a tragic case, Akeem Rivers has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of John „Ben“ Yount, a father of four, who was shot in the forehead while seated in his van in Palm Beach County. The shooting took place on February 9, 2023, at the busy intersection of Northlake Boulevard and North Military Trail, a location that now carries the weight of this senseless violence. A jury reached the guilty verdict on July 2, 2025, after deliberating for less than two hours, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Yount was unarmed at the time of the incident, highlighting the shocking nature of his death. Testimony during the trial revealed that Rivers‘ accomplice, Keondre Sisnett, claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense. However, Sisnett’s narrative was complicated; he testified against Rivers in a plea deal that spared him a potential 30-year sentence in exchange for ten years of probation. Sisnett indicated that he attempted to fire a gun first, but it malfunctioned, leading Rivers to use a second firearm to fire into Yount’s van.

Details of the Incident

The case unfolded with alarming details that emerged during the trial. Jurors learned that a witness had observed an arm extending from a black Kia, firing into Yount’s van. Police used license-plate readers to track the Kia, which was later found abandoned the day after the shooting. Further investigations revealed a bullet, matching the ammunition used to kill Yount, lodged in the Kia’s door. Rivers attempted to flee when law enforcement approached, discarding an unrelated firearm in the process.

Throughout the trial, Rivers was under close surveillance and did not testify in his defense. Despite his attorney, Robert Gershman, advising a plea deal—which Gershman characterized as Rivers having “no chance” of acquittal—Rivers opted for trial instead. Ultimately, the jury’s swift decision reflected the overwhelming evidence against him, sealing his fate with a life sentence.

The Human Cost

John „Ben“ Yount’s death resonates deeply within the community. He was remembered as a devoted husband and father, along with being an avid outdoorsman and a hardworking subcontractor for Home Depot. Tragically, he passed away just a month shy of his 42nd birthday, leaving behind family and friends to mourn a life interrupted far too soon.

This case is a stark reminder of the challenges that continue to plague communities, and it comes against a backdrop of ongoing efforts to analyze and improve local criminal justice systems. The Palm Beach County’s Research and Planning Unit has introduced interactive data tools using Tableau, aimed at shedding light on criminal offenses, arrests, and the intricacies of the court system. Such initiatives are part of a broader movement within Florida, where the Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of the State Courts Administrator collaborate to analyze offense and arrest data statewide.

In light of tragic events like Yount’s murder, the Safety and Justice Challenge has emerged—a program funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that seeks to develop better alternatives to excessive incarceration, particularly for individuals who do not pose a danger to the community. Palm Beach County is among the initial sites selected for this pivotal effort, playing a critical role in rethinking how justice is administered while aiming to keep families intact and communities safe.

The waves from this case will surely ripple through the community for years to come. As communities grapple with violence, cases like that of John Yount serve as painful reminders in the quest for lasting change within the criminal justice system.