As Joseph "JP" Aretreas Brown fell dead early Wednesday morning in DeKalb County, witnesses reported hearing dozens of gunshots.

One caller said they heard 10 shots and saw people running near Flat Shoals Road, according to a police report released Thursday. Another reported 40 to 50 shots and the sounds of people screaming, and another said a man was shot in the head.

Police found Brown, 39, face down in a pool of blood on the sidewalk behind Gulf American Inn, which is near Taco Bell and I-285, at about 12:30 a.m.

A Buick LeSabre near the body had a bullet hole in the glass.

DeKalb County police haven’t released any information on a possible motive or suspect.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter and Instagram

In other news:

Friends say Gerald Tisdale was on his way to see his children when someone opened fire on him driving down Highway 78.

About the Author

Keep Reading

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson speaks at a press conference at the Manual J. Maloof building in Decatur on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Cochran-Johnson announced a freeze on creating new positions without approval and spending on "non-essential" items. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Featured

An aerial image shows the Atlanta skyline on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez