Gang ‘ring leader' identified in DeKalb student's killing
Authorities in DeKalb County say they've identified a suspect in the January shooting death of a DeKalb County high school student.
The alleged shooter, Antione Willis Jr., 20, has an "H" tattooed near each temple and is a member of an obscure gang called the "Hoe Haters," said Sgt. Adrion Bell of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
"This is the first I've heard of them," Bell said. "But he's supposed to be the ringleader."
Willis and another suspect already in custody shot and killed Marcus Holloway, 18, on Jan. 29 at the Columbia Forest Apartments, located at 2505 Columbia Dr., Bell said.
Investigators told Bell that the shooting was in retaliation for a slashed tire on a stolen vehicle that the gangsters had been driving.
Holloway, a senior at Southwest DeKalb High School, did not slash the tire, Bell said. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Willis will be charged with felony murder, Bell said, along with co-defendant Jaqwanta Grimes, 19, who is already in the DeKalb County Jail.
The sheriff and the Crime Stoppers organization are seeking the public's help in finding Willis.
In addition to the letters near his temples, Willis has a cross tattooed on his forehead.
A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect in the case.
Anyone with information can contact the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line anonymously at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting the tip to CRIMES (274637). Anonymous tipsters are eligible for the reward.
About the Author
Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.
