Murder trial of suspect in Downtown Atlanta hookah bar shooting to begin Monday

ATLANTA – At 9:30 Monday morning, 21-year-old Damon Wilson is scheduled to stroll into the Fulton County Superior Court docket to face trial for the homicide of 28-year-old Ty Ross.

Ross’ homicide led to the closure of the Encore Hookah Bar and Bistro on the 300 block of Luckie Road, and a citywide push for higher nightlife security. He was working as a safety guard the night time of Feb. 2, 2022, when administration allegedly kicked out Wilson. Prosecutors accuse Wilson of pulling out a gun and killing Ross.

“Ready on trial is sort of like that closing piece of this whole story earlier than you may lastly begin to heal and transfer on,” stated Aaliyah Robust, Ross’ fiancée and in addition an worker at Encore on the time.

Aaliyah Robust advised FOX 5 Atlanta that she and Ty had been soulmates. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

She stated Monday morning would be the first time she is going to see the video of his homicide, one thing she stated she has been mentally getting ready herself for.

“It’s such a bittersweet second to face the individual that did this to him,” Robust advised FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo. “It’s justice in a way as a result of you recognize that he gained’t be capable of do that to anybody else.”

After a collection of shootings at Encore, Robust fought the town to have the lounge closed. She gained.

“It’s not going to carry Ty again,” Robust stated. “There’s nothing to occur in court docket or wherever that’s going to carry him again.”

Since his homicide, Robust stated she has turn into an advocate for victims and survivors of nightclub gun violence.

She thought the town had been bettering, up till the homicide of Republic Lounge proprietor Michael Gidewon final weekend.

“I simply wish to encourage folks to suppose earlier than they react as a result of one cut up determination can change so many lives,” she stated.

The fees that Wilson faces embrace homicide, battery, and aggravated assault.