Traffic accident leads to arrest in November loft shooting
A Christmas Eve traffic accident has led to the arrest of a man police say fatally shot a recent Grady High School graduate at an Atlanta loft apartment complex about six weeks ago.
Atlanta police spokesman Gregory Lyon said officers responding to an accident on Parkway and Felton drives arrested Antonio Johnson, 22, after discovering he was wanted for the Nov. 12 shooting of Lee Lowery III.
The 20-year-old was waiting to be buzzed into the Ford Factory lofts on Ponce de Leon Avenue shortly before 5 p.m. when he was approached by a man wearing camouflage pants. Video surveillance showed the suspect attempting to grab a package from Lowery’s grasp.
Lowery resisted and a struggle ensued. Atlanta police homicide unit commander Lt. Paul Guerrucci said Lowery was shot in the chest and died soon after being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Police at the time identified two possible suspects, including the shooter and an unidentified person driving a getaway vehicle. Lyon said he could not comment on the case as the investigation remains open.
Johnson, charged with murder, is being held at the Fulton County Jail.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
