On April 29, 2023, a man was shot and killed at a gas station in Atlanta, Georgia. This sent shock waves through the neighborhood. Details about the shooting are still coming out, but early reports say that an unknown attacker walked up to the victim and opened fire, killing him.
Many people in the area are scared and worried about their safety because there have been more gun crimes in Atlanta in the past few years. In this answer, we’ll look at what we know about the killing and what it might mean for the city.
Man Shot De@d at Atlanta Gas Station
According to Atlanta Police, a man was killed after shooting multiple rounds at officers at two distinct locations on Thursday afternoon. As a result, officers had no choice but to shoot the individual. The fatal shooting started at 205 Memorial Drive around 1 p.m. but ended up at the Valero gas station on the southeast corner of Moreland Avenue and Memorial Drive in east Atlanta.
At a press conference, Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton described the sequence of incidents leading up to the fatal shooting. According to Deputy Chief Hampton, an officer saw a guy, later identified as Ellenwood resident Ainsley Popwell, 34, loading a gun and ordering him to put the weapon down.
Hampton claims that Popwell actually shot at the police officer’s patrol car. The police officer was unharmed and was able to accurately describe the man over the radio. As more officers arrived at the scene, the man ran to the nearby gas station. With a revolver in hand, Popwell allegedly forced his way behind the counter and made an effort to access the cash register, according to the deputy chief.
Outside the store, officers yelled at him. Hampton claims that Popwell fired once at them in retaliation. Two employees of the store were there, but unharmed. Just before Popwell left the store, the police retreated to a safer area where their movements were more strategically sensible, according to Hampton.
Deputy Chief Hampton stated,
“The suspect came out of the store brandishing his weapon, and officers discharged their weapons.”
Popwell was injured by the shooting, according to Hampton. Hampton recalled that the suspect “then, even while on the ground, fired at least one more round in the direction of officers.” “Several officers pulled the trigger, striking the suspect with their weapons.”
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A local woman reported hearing six gunshots to FOX 5 Atlanta. Customers and employees of the several shops on that corner hid when the shooting began. The person who works just across the street, Clifford Byrd, said, “I had to get behind a customer’s car.
The owner of Express Oil on the Corner, Deon James, stated, “When we saw it, I was hiding behind a car, and a few of my guys started coming inside because there were a lot of gunshots.” The man passed away after being taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. No officers were shot at, however, one officer received minor wounds.
Darin Schierbaum, the chief of police in Atlanta, sent his condolences to the victim’s family. “No cop who reports to work every day ever wants to witness this result. Our officers took bold and decisive action to safeguard the public and reduce the risk that was unquestionably present, according to APD Chief Darin Schierbaum. The use of de@dly force, which is customary in police shootings, is being looked into by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.