2 shot in Atlanta after argument between couple

By Russell Grantham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two men were shot during an argument late Saturday night at a west Atlanta apartment, a witness told Atlanta police.

Tequilla Copeland, 29, the girlfriend of one of the men, Anthony Powers, 24, told police that the shootings occurred at an apartment at 2591 Etheridge Dr. NW after she got in an argument with Powers.

After the dispute, Copeland told police, she called her brother, Star Turner, who came to the residence with Donald Laster, 29. At least four shots were fired during a fight between the three men inside the apartment. Powers was shot in the leg and arm, and Laster was shot in the thigh and abdomen, and both were taken to Grady Hospital, where they are in stable condition, police said.

Turner left the scene before police arrived.

Police said no weapons were recovered, but a bullet and 18 shell casings for .45-caliber and 9 mm guns were found at the scene, including more than a dozen 9 mm casings in the parking lot outside the apartment.

Police said Laster was charged with simple battery, because no witness said he was armed.

Police were still waiting to collect a statement from Powers, who was under sedation at the hospital.