PHOTOS: Community gathers to honor deacon who died after encounter with Atlanta police

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PHOTOS: Community gathers to honor deacon who died after encounter with Atlanta police

Those gathered Tuesday at Dr. Mary Shy Scott Memorial park tilted their heads upward, watching the balloons drift away for a few moments in solemn remembrance of the 62-year-old father and church deacon who died days earlier after an encounter with Atlanta police.

Arnitra Hollman embraces a family member during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

(From left) Te’xavion Fallins, Willie Fallins, and Christopher Fallins hold balloons during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Mott Williams, left, and MJ, right, hold balloons during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Jackie Stephenson cries while hugging Serenity Spradley during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Cameron Spradley holds a balloon during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Attorney Mawuli Mel Davis talks to family members and friends of Johnny Holman during a vigil and balloon toss for him on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police, and Davis is representing the family. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Arnitra Hollman, right, embraces Santeesh Crews, left, during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Jakyriah Touray embraces a family member during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Friends and family embrace while looking at balloons float in the air during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Greg Stephens holds a balloon during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Chasity Dumas, 9, embraces Sandra Hardin during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Balloons float in the air during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

CJ Filton, left, and Melo Filton, right, hold balloons during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Family and friends hold balloons during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Family and friends release balloons in the air during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

Family and friends release balloons in the air during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

A balloon release was held Tuesday at the Dr. Mary Shy Scott Park for Johnny Hollman, who died last week while being arrested by an Atlanta police officer, officials said.

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Credit: Michael Blackshire/AJC

Arnitra Hollman embraces a family member during a vigil and balloon toss for Johnny Holman on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Mary Shy Scott Park in Atlanta. Holman died during a scuffle with Atlanta Police. (Michael Blackshire/Michael.blackshire@ajc.com)

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