Atlanta police have closed an investigation into a deadly shooting at the Ashby MARTA station after determining the shooter acted in self-defense, officials announced Monday.

The incident took place just before 7:30 p.m. May 8 at the transit station on Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard. According to police, two men were involved in a dispute that escalated to gunfire. The victim, later identified as 38-year-old Earl West Jr. of Fort Valley, died at a hospital.

Days after the shooting, investigators asked for the public’s help to identify the shooter and released two surveillance videos recorded on a MARTA bus. The videos showed the man boarding and exiting the bus wearing a distinctive backpack with a shark design.

It was not clear how he was identified, but police on Monday said they considered the case closed.

“After completing a thorough investigation, and consulting with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, homicide investigators were able to determine that the shooter in this case acted in self-defense,” a police department spokesperson said in a statement.

No charges will be filed against the shooter, whose name was not released.

About the Author

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS