Crime & Public Safety

Man shot, killed in car that crashed into SW Atlanta apartments

The victim, who appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was found shot and killed inside the sedan after it wrecked into a fence at the Donnelly Courts apartments, according to police.
The victim, who appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was found shot and killed inside the sedan after it wrecked into a fence at the Donnelly Courts apartments, according to police.
By Chelsea Prince and Arvin Temkar – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Updated April 15, 2022

A man was found dead inside a sedan Friday morning after it crashed into a fence at a southwest Atlanta apartment complex.

The victim, who appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s, had been shot, according to Atlanta police Lt. Ralph Woolfolk. Investigators have blocked off Donnelly Avenue with crime scene tape as they collect evidence from the sedan, which wrecked near the entrance to the Donnelly Courts apartments.

“The preliminary indications are the gunshots came from inside of the vehicle,” Woolfolk, who commands the department’s homicide unit, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from the scene. “It is still early in the investigation. We’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Police are investigating the incident Friday morning at Donnelly Courts apartments on Donnelly Avenue in southwest Atlanta.
Police are investigating the incident Friday morning at Donnelly Courts apartments on Donnelly Avenue in southwest Atlanta.

Officers were called to respond to the vehicle accident around 4:30 a.m. They were canvassing the area Friday for any witnesses who may have heard gunshots.

Woolfolk said his detectives had collected electronic evidence and have identified surveillance cameras at the apartment complex that might be helpful to their investigation. They have been unable to confirm the identity of the victim and do not know what motivated the deadly shooting.

Investigators with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office removed the man's body from the wrecked vehicle Friday outside the Donnelly Courts apartments in southwest Atlanta.
Investigators with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office removed the man's body from the wrecked vehicle Friday outside the Donnelly Courts apartments in southwest Atlanta.

The vehicle will be taken to a state crime lab to be processed, Woolfolk said.

“We’re going to be depending heavily on trace evidence as it pertains to this investigation,” he said.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

About the Authors

Chelsea Prince is reporter and coach on the breaking news team.

Arvin Temkar

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