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Man shot 4 times at Atlanta Starbucks

By Christian Boone | Thursday, July 3, 2008, 05:10 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A man was shot repeatedly by an apparent would-be assassin Wednesday night inside a southwest Atlanta Starbucks.

Witnesses say a gunman walked into the coffee shop and shot a man sitting at a table point-blank four times. A second man was also hit, apparently by a bullet that had ricocheted, said witness Karmen Sneed, who was also a customer.

Fulton County Police spokeswoman Kay Lester said the shootings took place at around 9:15 p.m. but didn’t say whether the victims were targeted. The men’s injuries were non life-threatening, she said.

“I was three feet away,” Sneed said. “At first I thought it was some sort of 4th of July fireworks or something.”

She said the gunman addressed the man before he shot him, using an expletive.

After the shooting, the gunman left the store, shooting a few more rounds into the sky, Sneed said.

One of the victims, the man who was apparently the target, was left in a pool of his own blood. He was conscious immediately afterward, Sneed said.

“He was in shock, sweating profusely,” said Sneed, adding the man appeared to be in his 60s. “He looked scared.”

Sneed said there were about 20 customers inside Starbucks at the time, some of whom got a good look at the shooter.

By midnight Wednesday, police were removing crime scene tape from outside the business. They towed away two trucks from the parking lot, including one pickup with Alabama tags.

Police aren’t releasing any further details.

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Atlanta under state of emergency, new storms pound north metro

By TIM EBERLY and PAUL SHEA | Saturday, March 15, 2008, 01:03 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In the aftermath of the first recorded tornado to hit downtown, Mayor Shirley Franklin signed an order Saturday declaring a state of emergency for the city.

Franklin will request that Gov. Sonny Perdue provide disaster assistance, she said at a noon news conference. The city will be working with Georgia Emergency Management Agency, as well as FEMA.

The other latest developments:

— Much of north Georgia, including metro Atlanta, is under a tornado watch until 7 p.m., the National Weather Service said late this morning.

— At 12:40 p.m., tornado warning sirens were sounding in Marietta, Kennesaw and Cobb. The sirens stopped in Cobb at 12:59 p.m.

— As 1 p.m. approached, authorities were advising people to stay out of four areas of the city: downtown, Vine City, Cabbagetown and the Cotton Mill lofts. An additional 125 officers will be patrolling those areas for the next 18 hours.

“It is important for the public to stay at home,” Franklin said. “Do not use this as an opportunity for sightseeing.”

— The Red Cross is placing displaced residents at two locations: Helene Mills recreation center and the Central Park recreation center. The agency moved at least 70 people from Helene Mills to extended stay hotels.

— As of noon, as the city braced for the next storm, 10,000 Georgia Power customers were without power. Crews repaired downed lines and poles throughout the night, with 30,000 losing power at some point. The peak outage was 19,000.

If the new storms are strong, the company said it will have its linemen stand down until it passes, to protect their safety. “We’re monitoring the situation, as you might imagine,” said spokesman Jason Cuevas. “If it looks like it’s going to be severe, we’ll pull them.”

— Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran reported 30 injuries following Friday’s storms; none were serious. The injured included one firefighter who suffered an ankle injury.

— Friday night’s tornado was declared a category F 2, with the strongest winds reaching 135 mph. Tornadoes can reach up to a category F5 with 300 mph winds. The tornado was 200 yards wide at its widest. It left a path of damage six miles long, said meteorologist Mike Griesinger with the National Weather Service.

— Friday’s twister touched down near the World Congress center, the Omni, Philips Arena, the Equitable Building, and then across to Cabbagetown. The twister is the first to hit downtown Atlanta since such weather recording-keeping began in the 1880s, Griesinger said.

— The tornado may have seemed to strike Atlanta with no warning, but that’s not true. The weather service issued a tornado warning about 12 minutes before the twister touched down in the city, Griesinger said.

“There was a warning,” he said.

He said 12 minutes is about an average amount of time for a tornado warning. The warnings are sent out to local TV stations, weather radios, emergency management offices and cell phones programed to receive weather alerts. The TV stations typically air such warnings almost instantaneously, he said.

Friday’s storm hit fast and furious — and with little warning.

Shortly before 10 p.m., winds whirled through downtown Atlanta, taking aim at CNN Center, the Omni Hotel and the Georgia Dome, which was packed with thousands of Southeastern Conference basketball fans.

Hours later, at a 1:30 a.m. news conference at a fire station on Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin reported what weather officials had not yet done: that the damage was caused by a tornado.

“It’s pretty major,” Franklin said, flanked by fire, police and city officials. “… Most of us did not get any warnings in advance that this storm was brewing.”

The bulk of the storm’s wrath fell on the core of the city.

Sections of the Georgia Dome’s roof were ripped off, forcing officials to move the four remaining games in the SEC tournament — three on Saturday and one on Sunday — to Georgia Tech’s Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Ticket holders will not be allowed in the arena, which seats just over 9,000. The first of three games today — Georgia-Kentucky — tipped off at noon.

Access to the remaining games of the tournament will be limited to athletes’ family members, cheerleaders, bands and other credentialed individuals, the SEC announced. Officials from the SEC, the schools remaining in the tourney and the Dome deliberated from midnight to roughly 4 a.m. Saturday before announcing a new schedule and ticket policy. Alexander seats 9,191 fans, much fewer than the 25,000 the Dome holds.

During the brief storm, a vacant two-story commercial building across from Centennial Olympic Park came down.

Two of the park’s gigantic Olympic torches toppled over.

Massive pieces of metal siding peeled off a Marietta Street parking garage and wrapped around poles or clogged sidewalks and streets.

“I have not seen anything like this before,” Atlanta fire Battalion Chief Gerry Rusinski said. “It looked like 9-11 when we pulled up.”

Somehow, injuries seemed to be few and far between.

Four area hospitals, including Grady and Atlanta Medical Center, reported taking in 16 patients from the storm — most with minor injuries, though one reportedly in critical condition. But there was concern about whether anyone was inside a four- or five-story building at the Stacks Lofts in Cabbagetown, where large chunks of four floors collapsed on top of each other like a pancake.

P.J. Bullock, 24, was having dinner with friends in a top-story unit at the time.

“We heard a huge breeze blow through,” Bullock said. He said his dinner host tried to shut the window, but couldn’t. “All of the sudden, the roof just ripped off.”

The group ran out of the apartment before it collapsed.

“It was one of those things where you didn’t know if you’re going to make it out or not.”

Around the same time, the two downtown basketball arenas were both holding games. The Atlanta Hawks were playing in Philips Arena.

A few blocks away, Alabama and Mississipi State held court in the Georgia Dome.

John Hisey, 49, of Marietta, was at the Hawks game when the storm touched down. “I heard a noise — it sounded like a big rumble,” he said. “I looked up, and the wall was just flexing.”

Some people hustled for the exits. “They just took off. They knew something,” he said. Sandy Smith of Douglasville was at the SEC tournament game. It had gone into overtime when she heard a loud boom. The ceiling started waving like a sheet.

“The lights started moving and the TV monitor started swaying back and forth,” she said. Then a pole and sign tore a hole in the roof.

Outside, windows popped and shattered at the Omni Hotel. A billboard across from Olympic Park fell onto a car. Newspaper stands dropped in rows like dominos on sidewalks. Trees were pulled from the ground.

Raymond Sheffield, 34, of Dallas, Texas, was eating at Ted’s Montana Grill on Spring Street downtown. Dessert had just arrived at his group’s table when chunks of debris slammed into the glass front of the restaurant — shattering about half the windows and leaving the rest in sorry shape.

Darryll Douthard, 42, a valet parking attendant for the Thrive restaurant on Marietta Street, said one man drove into the parking garage as the storm hit.

As Douthard rushed him in a rear door, the man resisted, worrying about his car.

“Are you concerned with your car or your life? Douthard asked. “Get in the staircase!”

The storm passed in minutes. In both arenas, people started moving for the exits.

Marietta Street turned into a sea of bodies — many of them in basketball jerseys. Some were crying and visibly shaken.

As authorities waited for city employees to clear debris off downtown streets, forecasters warned today’s weather could be worse.

Friday’s storm could be “nothing to compare with what’s coming in tomorrow,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Leary. — Staff writers Eruc Stirgus, Margaret Newkirk, Chandler Brown, Chip Towers, Craig Schneider, Mike Knobler, Anisha Frizzell, Ben Smith, Andy Miller and Celine Bufkin contributed to this article.

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Detroit newspaper backed Delta-Northwest merger

By Jim Tharpe | Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 10:41 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Detroit Free Press today came out in favor of the proposed Delta-Northwest airlines merger.

A proposal to create the world’s largest airline is stalled as pilot’s for both carriers try to figure out how to merge their seniority lists.

Here’s some of what the Free Press had to say in its editorial, which was headlined: “Pilots shouldn’t ground Northwest-Delta merger”:

“The proposed merger of Northwest and Delta airlines makes sense for both, more so than some other corporate marriages. In the uncertain world of commercial aviation, their pilots would be foolish to block it by failing to agree on a combined seniority list.

Northwest and Delta together would become the world’s largest airline. There is virtually no overlap in their service, so no pilots would be laid off and travel options would improve as each airline adds the other’s hubs to its network. But wary of the experience of other airlines that merged and then tried to work out pilot issues afterward, including Northwest and Republic in 1986, Northwest and Delta wisely want their pilots to come to terms first, before the merger goes forward, subject to government approval.

Seniority is a huge issue for pilots, and understandably so. It determines not only pay but also schedules, routes and which equipment the pilots are assigned to fly. Delta has about 9,000 pilots, Northwest 6,000. However, the Northwest pilots, on average, have more years in the air. Whatever union leaders work out has to be approved by their members, who will weigh the seniority terms against the prospect of a pay increase and other benefits from the merger.

If it doesn’t happen, each airline will be on its own to face increased competition, starting with European carriers under the “Open Skies” agreement that takes effect in late March.”

Here’s the link for the full editorial: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/OPINION01/802260327

Permalink | Categories: Delta merger

Detroit newspaper backed Delta-Northwest merger

By Jim Tharpe | Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 10:41 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Detroit Free Press today came out in favor of the proposed Delta-Northwest airlines merger.

A proposal to create the world’s largest airline is stalled as pilot’s for both carriers try to figure out how to merge their seniority lists.

Here’s some of what the Free Press had to say in its editorial, which was headlined: “Pilots shouldn’t ground Northwest-Delta merger”:

If it doesn’t happen, each airline will be on its own to face increased competition, starting with European carriers under the “Open Skies” agreement that takes effect in late March.”

Here’s the link for the full editorial: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/OPINION01/802260327

Permalink | Categories: Delta merger

Delta Merger ready to sign?

By Jim Tharpe | Friday, February 22, 2008, 01:41 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported today that a long-anticipated merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines is ready to sign, once pilots get on board.

Reporter Liz Fedor quotes “a source familiar with the negotiations” in her story, which said the merger deal “is set to be unveiled as soon as the pilots from both carriers resolve issues surrounding seniority.”

There is growing speculation the deal could be announced next week, even though Delta and Northwest officials have declined comment about progress.

Fedor’s article said the Northwest pilot’s executive council met Thursday to discuss the merger, the proposed labor contract and the union’s strategy to resolve the seniority conflict. Pilot leaders are expected to continue that meeting today.

Permalink | Categories: Delta merger

Fla. officials to charge Hilton

By Jeffrey Scott | Friday, January 11, 2008, 12:05 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Florida officials have enough evidence to charge Meredith Emerson’s accused killer with a murder in that state, district attorney William Meggs told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday morning.

William Meggs, the district attorney who presides over Florida’s Leon County, said authorities are prepared to charge Gary Michael Hilton, 61, for the murder of 46-year-old Cheryl Hodges Dunlap, whose body was found Apalachicola National Forest on Dec. 1.

Around that same time, Hilton was seen in the Florida woods. U.S. Forest rangers reported spotting him there on Nov. 17 and Dec. 28. A hunter also reported seeing Hilton in Apalachicola National Forest on Dec. 7.

Hilton is in the custody of Dawson County and facing a murder charge in the death of Emerson, the 24-year-old Buford hiker who went missing on New Year’s Day in the North Georgia mountains.

If Hilton were still at large, Meggs said Friday, “I would probably get the warrant today, but since he is not a threat to public safety I am not putting together a sketchy arrest warrant because I don’t need to.”

Meggs said he had a conversation Thursday with Dawson County district attorney Lee Darragh, who charged Hilton with malice murder on Wednesday. Emerson’s body was found in Dawson County on Monday night after Hilton led them to the site. Hilton is awaiting indictment, which probably won’t come until March, Darragh said.

In another development, Forsyth County sheriff Ted Paxton confirmed Friday to the AJC that Hilton made a call to an old girlfriend from a pay phone at the QuikTrip outside of Cumming on the Friday investigators found bloody garments determined to be Emerson’s.

“My understanding from the GBI is that he was asking her for money, and she told him ‘No way,’ ” Paxton said. “He was wanted by every law enforcement agency in the state.”

Paxton said he did not know the name of the girlfriend, but the call is what alerted Forsyth Sherriff’s office investigators that Hilton had been at the Quik Trip, and prompted them to search the dumpster where they found her clothing and wallet and ID, which led to the charges against Hilton the next day.

Paxton also said Hilton is believed to have tried to use Emerson’s Visa card at an ATM machine on New Year’s night. She was last scene on a Georgia mountain trail, with Hilton, on New Year’s Day, but she wasn’t reported missing until the next day.

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Investigator: Drop murder charge against Winder soldier

By Moni Basu | Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 07:53 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An investigating officer has recommended that the Army throw out murder charges against a Georgia soldier accused of killing a detainee in Iraq.

Lt. Col. Raul Gonzalez, who presided over the Article 32 hearing for Spc. Christopher P. Shore, 25, said the Army lacked evidence to press ahead with murder charges.

“After a full evaluation of all the evidence, testimony and statements presented to me as part of the Article 32 Investigation for Specialist Christopher P. Shore, I find that reasonable grounds do not exist to believe that the accused committed premeditated murder,” wrote Gonzalez, who presided over the hearing last month in Honolulu.

“I recommend the charge be replaced with Article 128, Aggravated Assault,” Gonzalez wrote.

An Article 32 is the military’s equivalent of a grand jury investigation. Also accused is Shore’s platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Trey A. Corrales, a native of San Antonio.

Shore, who came home to Winder on leave Monday, said he was ecstatic the murder charges were tossed.

“I think the man did the right thing,” he said Wednesday morning.

His attorney, Michael Waddington of Augusta, said he was relieved.

“We were both having trouble sleeping over the past couple of days in anticipation of the report,” he said.

“We can deal with the aggravated assault charge,” he said. “Duress is a defense to aggravated assault, not homicide. As Leiutenant Colonel Gonzalez noted, there is a lot of mitigating evidence in the case in Shore’s favor.”

Shore maintained that Corrales ordered Shore to “finish” the wounded man, who was already on the ground and bleeding profusely. The incident occurred just outside the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on June 23.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commander of the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division, in which Shore and Corrales serve, will determine in the next few weeks whether the Army will forge ahead with courts martial.

In making his recommendation to Mixon, Gonzalez said no evidence existed that linked the shots fired by Shore to the detainee’s death two days later. He also said there was “overwhelming evidence presented” that Corrales “did with the intent to kill, shoot at and hit the detainee multiple times with an M-4 rifle.”

Gonzalez said that the soldiers of Shore’s scout platoon were in an “unhealthy environment.” He said Corrales’ leadership was “abusive” and “unlawful” and that Shore was under pressure to follow Corrales’ orders.

Gonzalez also recommended to Mixon on that the Army launch an investigation into the actions of Lt. Col. Michael Browder, Shore’s battalion commander.

Browder was relieved of command in Iraq after the detainee was killed but has not been charged.

The battalion returned to Hawaii in early October after a 15-month tour of Iraq.

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Crowded scene outside courthouse

By D. Orlando Ledbetter | Thursday, July 26, 2007, 08:01 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Richmond, Va. — At 7:32 a.m. Thursday, protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were already lined up in front of the federal courthouse with their Michael Vick protest signs and solemn faces.

One sign, bearing a picture of a scarred pit bull, read, “Prosecute all Dog Fighters. Justice for all victims.”

The media line was starting to form for the 100 spots in Judge Henry E. Hudson’s courtroom for the Falcons quarterback’s hearing, which is expected to begin at 3:30 p.m. There will be an overflow room for 200 other media members.

Behind the courthouse, 27 media vehicles — including WSB, CNN, Fox News, WJLA (Washington, D.C.), ESPN and WDBJ (Roanoke, Va.) — lined the streets.

One local radio show, The Morning Sludge on Y101, had three cast members broadcasting live while dressed in dog suits.

“We are just going to be peaceably demonstrating about this issue sending a message to the federal government that people want to see this case prosecuted vigorously,” said Dan Shannon, PETA’s assistant director. “We don’t want to lose sight that Michael Vick is not the end of the problem.

“There are a lot of people who aren’t as famous that are involved in this sort of thing and they also need to see their day in court eventually.”

Also on hand here Thursday morning: John P. Goodwin, the deputy manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States.

Three loud Falcons fans, who drove down from Boston, arrived in front of the courts to counter the PETA protesters. One held a sign that read “PETA = Hypocrites.” Another held one that said, “Let Vick Play.”

“There are a lot of serious allegations, but he hasn’t been proven guilty yet,” said Michael Geary, 21. “He’s innocent until proven guilty, so why are they not letting him play? Let him play. Let him ride this out himself.

“He’s not a Pacman Jones. He’s not out shooting people.”

Geary said he’s been a Falcons fan “since they got Michael Vick.”

Permalink | Categories: Vick case

Court summons expected Wednesday afternoon

By AJC | Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 09:09 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Brant Sanderlin/AJC

Members of the media gather at the federal courthouse in Richmond Wednesday morning.

Shortly after opening this morning at 8:30 a.m., the clerk’s office for the U.S. Federal District Court in Richmond told the AJC that a summons in the Michael Vick dog fighting case could be issued this afternoon.

Reporters from the local Fox and CBS affilates were also on the courthouse steps along with ESPN and the AJC.

Nike issues statement

By AJC | Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 08:24 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Michael Vick’s biggest endorsement deal is with Nike, who has stood by Vick during the dog-fighting investigation.

Following Vick’s indictment, the company issued the following statement: “We are aware of the indictment and are reviewing the information. We have no further comment at this time.”

Vick had an endorsement deal with AirTran, but the airline announced in May that it did not renew his contract once in expired on May 8.