Atlanta, GA
‘An epidemic’: Metro Atlanta residents protest police brutality in wake of Sonya Massey’s death
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Almost a month after Sonya Massey was shot dead by a deputy in Illinois, a crowd gathered in Atlanta on Sunday to remember her — and their own loved ones whose lives were taken by law enforcement.
At Park Avenue Baptist Church, photo after photo lined the wooden pews during the memorial service, remembering the dead. Amid the grief, families are now banding together to raise awareness of police brutality, they said.
Toni Franklin-Boykins said her son, 12-year-old Le’Den Boykins, was killed in September 2021 after a PIT maneuver by a Georgia State Patrol officer caused the car he was in to flip.
“The police never came to my house, never knocked on our door to let us know our son was killed,” she said. “In [Sonya Massey’s] case, they got justice right away. In most of our cases, mine, we haven’t even begun.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Advocates speak out after recent deadly police pursuits in metro Atlanta
Wanda McGilberry was a family friend of Christon Collins, a disabled veteran who had a mental illness. He died in DeKalb County Jail in March, allegedly unresponsive on the floor for hours before any guards came to help, she said.
“We don’t want anything to happen to another inmate, veteran, someone with mental illness,” she said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family of veteran demanding answers about his death in DeKalb County Jail
And Jimmy Hill, the father of Jimmy Atchison, said his son was killed in January 2019 by an officer with what he described as “a troubled history of being overly aggressive and disobeying orders.”
“When will people stop remaining silent about this injustice? When will it end? Police brutality is an epidemic,” he added. “It’s just time for people right now to stop remaining silent. Stop ignoring, and stop turning a blind eye towards this injustice.”
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Atlanta will face a stifling weekend with Saturday heat indices climbing up to 106 degrees in parts of the region before tracking a wave of disruptive Sunday evening storms, according to the weather team forecast.
Courtesy of Crime Stoppers
ATLANTA – Atlanta police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect accused of robbing a man during a camera sale meetup and firing a gun at the victim as he fled.
What we know:
According to the Atlanta Police Department’s Robbery Unit, the incident happened on May 27 in the 200 block of Hunnicutt Street NW.
Investigators said the victim arranged to meet a man about selling a camera. During the meeting, the man allegedly pulled out a handgun and struck the victim with it.
Shot fired during robbery
Police said the gunman then discharged the firearm as the victim attempted to flee. The victim was not seriously injured.
Investigators said the thief stole the victim’s satchel, cellphone, cash and other personal belongings before leaving the area.
Reward offered for information
What you can do:
Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest and indictment.
Tipsters can remain anonymous and do not have to provide their names or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477), texting CSGA to 738477, using the P3 Tips app or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
Atlanta, GA
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