A security guard was killed and another was hospitalized Tuesday after an early morning shooting outside a DeKalb County nightclub.
The guards had attempted to break up a fight at the Cosmopolitan Premier Lounge on Glenwood Road before they were shot in the parking lot shortly before 2:30 a.m., according to a DeKalb police spokesperson.
“It appears that there was a dispute inside the club when everyone was told to exit the location,” Officer Elise Wells said in a statement. “The suspect then began to fire shots outside the location, striking two security guards.”
The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased victim as Erik McKenzie, 30, of Lithonia, Channel 2 Action News reported. The injured guard’s name and condition were not provided.
Investigators worked outside the club for several hours overnight but did not provide any additional information from the scene. They placed at least two dozen evidence markers, which appeared to indicate shell casings, leading from the front doors to the back of the parking lot about 50 yards away.
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
The officers appeared to focus on a vehicle with its door open in the parking lot, as well as some personal items spread on the pavement, Channel 2 reported. The vehicle was towed before the investigation wrapped up around 6:30 a.m., according to the news station.
Several other vehicles were left outside the club overnight.
Witnesses and clubgoers were interviewed by police, and no one else was reported injured by the gunfire. No suspects were in custody Tuesday, according to Wells.
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
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