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Atlanta, GA

‘Put the guns down’: Atlanta dad mourning teenage son killed in Austell apartment shooting

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‘Put the guns down’: Atlanta dad mourning teenage son killed in Austell apartment shooting


EAST POINT, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On Monday, hundreds of people crowded into an East Point shopping center for a candlelight vigil to mourn the death of 17-year-old Kenneth Collier Jr.

Cobb County police have launched a homicide investigation after receiving an initial 911 call on Jan. 9 for gunshots at the Residence at Riverside Apartments in Austell.

In a news release, police officials said they found the teenager with multiple gunshot wounds.

Collier’s family said the body was that of the 17-year-old who was an 11th grader at Eagle’s Landing High School in McDonough.

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“Kenneth didn’t deserve to be killed that way. Nobody deserves to be killed that way,” said Kenn Collier, Kenneth’s dad.

Kenn said Kenneth went to see a friend at the Austell complex. He does not know what the circumstances were leading up to the shooting.

“Nobody ever imagines getting a call that your son has been murdered. Your son has been shot, is hurt,” Kenn said. “As a parent, the hardest thing ever to go through. Kenneth was a good kid.”

Kenneth’s death comes roughly seven years after the death of Kenneth’s mother, Tamika Trimble, who also died of gun violence.

17-year-old shot to death at Austell apartment complex, police say

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In December 2017, Trimble was shot and killed in her car, with her daughter in the backseat.

“I sat on this same couch and did this interview. Talked about my son’s mom, about his mom being murdered through gun violence. Now, (I) sit here again, without my son, talking about gun violence,” Kenn said.

After that deadly shooting, Kenn said Kenneth acted out and began bullying before channeling his anger.

By 11, Kenneth had written a book advocating against bullying.

He was awarded a proclamation from the City of Atlanta after publishing the book titled “Button Buddy Stops Bullying: And So Can You.”

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Kenn said his son got off track and eventually was pulled back into a rough crowd.

“Unfortunately, when you’re still in a situation around your friends and environment, and that’s all you see a lot of times, you can fall back into it,” he said. “As a parent, of course I did everything I can, we did everything we can do.”

Kenn said they recently moved Kenneth away from southwest Atlanta to McDonough where he enrolled at Eagle’s Landing High School. He said his son’s death shows the complexity of the gun violence epidemic.

“We really need to put the guns down,” Collier said.

Cobb County police is asking anyone with information surrounding the shooting incident to call police at (770) 499-3945.

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Atlanta, GA

Florida State lands a commitment from Atlanta DL Wihtlley Cadeau

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Florida State lands a commitment from Atlanta DL Wihtlley Cadeau


On the official visit to Florida State, Wihtlley Cadeau got that feeling. He knew he had an interest in the Seminoles. He knew the school was high on his list. But after being on campus for about 24 hours, he knew it was where he wanted to be.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman was offered by Florida State in May and things took off from there.

“I committed to Florida State,” Cadeau told On3.

Other schools like Georgia State, Georgia Tech and Purdue were in contention, but he saw what he was looking for in Tallahassee.

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“I love the history behind Florida State. The coaching staff is great too. I have a lot of love for them. The environment and the players fit me too.”

Lawrence Smith took over at Washington High earlier this spring and has enjoyed working with the new commit the last few weeks.

“I love that Wihtlley has kept an open mind when it comes to learning what it takes to be the best he can be,” Smith said. “He has been working really hard on making his weaknesses become strengths and being a better leader. He is always a happy and positive person and genuinely enjoys playing the game of football.”



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Atlanta, GA

PHOTOS: Trees come crashing down during severe thunderstorms across metro Atlanta

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PHOTOS: Trees come crashing down during severe thunderstorms across metro Atlanta


As severe weather rocked the South this weekend, the metro Atlanta area wasn’t spared. Thunderstorms even brought trees down across Georgia.

Here’s a look at some of the storm damage in our viewing area:

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Lightning struck a tree on Old Coach Road in Stone Mountain.

A tree also came down on the tracks, deenergizing the third rail between the Medical Center and Dunwoody MARTA stations. For now, there’s a bus bridge in effect from Medical Center to Sandy Springs until the tree can be moved. There are also delays on the Red line, according to a spokesperson from MARTA.

If you have pictures or video of storm damage in your area, you can submit them for consideration through the FOX 5 Weather app or email them to newstipsatlanta@fox.com.

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The Source: These images were either supplied by FOX 5 Atlanta viewers who submitted them through the FOX 5 Storm Team app, or by FOX 5 Atlanta photojournalists.

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Atlanta, GA

Residents of Atlanta townhome complex fear eviction, allege ‘unlivable’ conditions

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Residents of Atlanta townhome complex fear eviction, allege ‘unlivable’ conditions


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Residents of a townhome complex in southwest Atlanta say they’re being forced out despite paying rent.

Renters living in Bolden Townhomes, located off Oakland Drive, came together on Friday to demand answers from the property owner about potential evictions and the reasons they’re subjected to living in allegedly “unlivable” conditions.

The townhomes are owned by Bolden Capital Group.

One renter, Ba Ba, said he moved in months ago. He claims he has lived without power and air conditioning, showing us that the lights and other utilities in the home are not functioning.

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“Violating my rights, my kids can’t come to see me because my apartment is not in a fair condition to come,” said Ba Ba. “I don’t have air or lights.”

To cook food, he has to get creative, using a can and a portable cooking device typically used for camping.

Ba Ba also pointed us to a note allegedly left on his door by someone who represents the property ownership group. It offered a warning that “any unauthorized entry is trespassing and a violation of law.”

Residents now fear eviction and being left without a place to live.

“I don’t understand how you would take our money and kick us out,” said Martavious Pope, another resident. “I don’t understand that.”

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Other residents held a press conference held at the complex on Friday morning and said they have collapsing ceilings and mold; Atlanta News First observed broken glass windows, boarded-up homes, and a lack of lights and air conditioning.

Alison Johnson with the Housing Justice League demands answers from the city and the property owner.

“As we see here, that is not happening,” said Johnson. “There’s been no accountability, no one here to tell the landlords that this is an unjust living situation and tenants should live in these conditions.”

The outcry drew the attention of Atlanta City Council Member Jason Dozier, who called for an investigation into the situation and a halt to any potential evictions. He wants “a swift, coordinated response from the City of Atlanta, including our code enforcement agencies, housing officials, and legal partners.”

Bolden Capital Group said they face “complex challenges” in maintaining Bolden Townhomes. They claim that people are living in homes without proper authorization. The group told us other issues exist, including “utility theft and damage to units” and that “these issues have created difficult and unsafe conditions.”

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The group said that it is working with local law enforcement to resolve the situation.

Ba Ba certainly believes he has every right to live in his home. He provided us with what appears to be a lease agreement that he signed with the company, emphasizing that he pays rent to the landlord every month.

“Already hard to find somewhere to stay, and when you do, it’s not even decent,” added Ba Ba.

Bolden Capital Group said there is pending legal action. What that looks like remains unclear.

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