In six more weeks, Sean Michael Turner would have turned 18 years old. He’d already finished high school — self-directed study and classes at home — and loved to play the guitar.
He'll be laid to rest in his hometown of Newnan on Wednesday, five days after a foray into Atlanta went horribly wrong.
“He is from a wonderful family that loved him very much,” family friend Jeanne Royal said.
According to Atlanta police, Turner and a friend were at a gas station on Boulevard on Friday night when they “ran into the brother of one of their old friends.” They allegedly asked the man — who they knew only as “Salsa” — if he could help them get some marijuana.
Salsa agreed, and said he would follow in another car while two of his associates rode in the back of Turner’s BMW.
Turner, his friend and the strangers drove to the intersection of Charles Allen drive and 9th Street, not far from Piedmont Park and Grady High School. Police said the men then pulled out handguns and put them to the heads of Turner and his friend. The teens were ordered out of the car and the strangers drove off.
But Turner, police said, ran after his vehicle after he saw it stopped in traffic on 8th Street.
“When he caught up to the car he opened the car door,” police said, ” … and they shot him and fled.”
Turner died the next day. As of Tuesday, no arrests had been made in the case. Turner's vehicle had not been recovered.
Turner's brother declined to speak with a reporter Tuesday other than to say, "It has been a rough couple of days." The slain teen's online obituary, however, described him as "a loving and compassionate young man."
“He was accomplished in guitar, and was passionate about music,” the tribute said. “He enjoyed skateboarding, fishing, boating, spending time with friends, and experiencing life to its fullest.”
Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan. A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Crossroads Church in Sharpsburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church's recovery ministry.
