Police Wednesday asked for the public’s help in an investigation into the shooting death of an Atlanta city councilwoman’s nephew.
Darius Bottoms, 18, of Atlanta, was found shot to death in his car June 13 in the 300 block of Legacy Drive in southwest Atlanta. The Benjamin E. Mays High School graduate and Atlanta Metropolitan College sophomore is District 11 Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms' nephew by marriage.
“He was gunned down in our city,” Detective David Quinn said during a press conference. “We want you to say not another Atlanta youth gets killed this summer. We want to end this thing.”
About 4:15 a.m. June 13, Bottoms and a friend walked to their parked vehicle on Legacy Drive, Officer Kim Jones said in an emailed statement. Once inside the vehicle, they saw someone walk into the crosswalk at the intersection of Sells Avenue and Legacy Drive. Bottoms, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle, asked his friend if he knew the person in the crosswalk. No, the friend said.
“In an abundance of caution,” Jones said, “Darius Bottoms decided to turn and drive the other way.”
Multiple shots were fired at the now reversing vehicle and Bottoms was struck, she said. The vehicle rolled back and hit a parked vehicle. The friend got out of the vehicle and ran, Jones said. Police have not disclosed information about the friend’s whereabouts.
Lenora Flanagan, Bottoms’ grandmother, was at the press conference.
“Whoever did it please, please come forward,” she said. “We need to know some answers as to why.”
A reward of up to $2,000 has been issued for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect, Jones said. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477).
“We feel we are getting close but we need that extra hook,” Quinn said. “We need the public to step in and become a part of this tragedy this family’s enduring right now.”
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