Citizens of East Point, a tight-knit community rocked by two recent random killings, received more than just lip service from city officials at a news conference addressing crime Tuesday afternoon. New police Chief Shawn Buchanan assured worried residents that concrete action to reduce crime had already been taken.
“Everybody is going on patrol, no matter their rank,” Buchanan said, referring to all of the officers under his command.
Speaking alongside East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, Buchanan said he also asked to open the police department’s overtime detail, thus enabling the city to pay officers to extend their shifts and lengthen patrols. More officers have been added to patrol high-traffic areas like shopping centers during the holiday season.
Buchanan also provided updates on the two recent homicides that have shaken the city. In the case of 29-year-old Juan Lopez, who was shot and killed at an ATM on Nov. 26, the chief said investigators were making significant progress and are close to making an arrest.
Despite the fact that East Point police are closing in on a suspect, Buchanan said the department released photos and a video in the hopes that witnesses or tipsters could strengthen their case. Just before Tuesday’s news conference, East Point police shared surveillance video of one of the suspects in Lopez’s killing walking through a Waffle House parking lot.
“I want you in prison now,” Buchanan said, directly addressing the person suspected of killing Lopez. “I want to make sure this is a slam dunk case.”
Less progress has been made in the case of 24-year-old Knox Panter, who was shot and killed Friday when he confronted multiple people who were breaking into his truck. Photos have already been released of the suspects in that case, and Buchanan stressed that investigators were working hard and making strides on the investigation. He promised an update on Panter’s case with more details to come, but did not provide further specifics.
Buchanan pleaded with the community to assist police in their work. He pointed to a shooting last November that resulted in the death of fifth-grader Tyrell Sims.
“Nov. 6, 2020: More than 50 witnesses saw an 11-year-old gunned down,” Buchanan said. “No one has come forward.”
“Someone knows something,” Buchanan added. “If you know something, please call Crime Stoppers or call the police department.”
Looking toward the new year, both Buchanan and Ingraham promised increased budgets for the police force.
“We are committed to act with a sense of urgency and deploy all possible resources,” Ingraham said.
According to Buchanan, a budget increase has already been approved that will allow officers to take patrol cars home and will give every officer a laptop. He set several goals for the department, including growing the force to its full capacity of more than 100 officers, becoming one of the highest-paid forces on metro Atlanta’s southside and making East Point one of the safest cities in the area.
For the families of the shooting victims, though, East Point officials said they understood that nothing will fix the holes left by their departed family members.
Lopez left behind a wife, who he’d been with since high school, and a 1-year-old son, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. Panter lived with his grandmother and served as her caretaker; friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help his family with expenses. Sims was a talented young football player who dreamed of making it to the NFL.
“These lives were taken at a time that should have been festive,” Buchanan said, noting that each of the shootings took place during the holiday season and sharing his sorrow for the families. “The least we do is do our jobs to bring you closure.”
About the Author
