Investigators believe the man who shot and killed a 21-year-old man at Atlantic Station last week fired in self-defense, police announced Monday.
Malik Mayfield was killed Thursday night when he met with a man in a parking deck beneath Atlantic Station for what Atlanta police initially said was a “criminal transaction.” The next day, a man contacted police to tell them he pulled the trigger.
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“Investigators spoke with him and at this time this appears to be a case of self-defense,” police spokesman Officer Jarius Daugherty said in a statement.
At some point during the transaction, Mayfield allegedly confronted the shooter with a firearm, he said. The shooter then pulled out a weapon of his own and shot Mayfield, he told police.
“Investigators do not believe the confrontation was random and are looking into why the deceased male confronted the shooter,” Daugherty said. “At this time, we do not anticipate filing charges against the shooter.”
The deadly incident happened about 7:30 p.m. Thursday during busy holiday shopping hours.
Calling it a “contained” incident, Atlantic Station officials told AJC.com on Friday that guests were never in danger.
“Last night, a shooting occurred in the west end of our parking deck,” they said in a statement. “Off-duty Atlanta Police Department officers and our Security Team were on site and secured the area immediately.”
Atlantic Station plans to add more off-duty Atlanta officers to its security force, management said.
“In the unlikely situation our residents, tenants or visitors are in danger,” they said in the statement, “you will receive swift communication through your property management contact.”
—Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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