Deadly shooting at MARTA station was self-defense, police say
Atlanta police have closed an investigation into a deadly shooting at the Ashby MARTA station after determining the shooter acted in self-defense, officials announced Monday.
The incident took place just before 7:30 p.m. May 8 at the transit station on Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard. According to police, two men were involved in a dispute that escalated to gunfire. The victim, later identified as 38-year-old Earl West Jr. of Fort Valley, died at a hospital.
Days after the shooting, investigators asked for the public’s help to identify the shooter and released two surveillance videos recorded on a MARTA bus. The videos showed the man boarding and exiting the bus wearing a distinctive backpack with a shark design.
It was not clear how he was identified, but police on Monday said they considered the case closed.
“After completing a thorough investigation, and consulting with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, homicide investigators were able to determine that the shooter in this case acted in self-defense,” a police department spokesperson said in a statement.
No charges will be filed against the shooter, whose name was not released.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.
