Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Second murder arrest made in Brookhaven suspected ‘drug activity’ shooting

Abel Ashmelash (Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
Abel Ashmelash (Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
By Ellen Eldridge
June 27, 2017

A 27-year-old Stone Mountain man is the second person charged with murder in the death of a Brookhaven man.

Abel Ashmelash was arrested Tuesday morning, Brookhaven police spokesman Carlos Nino said. Edward Tavarez was arrested June 13.

They are accused in the June 1 shooting death of Travis Ridley at Avana Uptown apartments off Clairmont Road.

Police previously said the incident was related to drug activity and investigators said Tavarez may have fired after Ridley pulled a gun.

Detectives did find a firearm at the scene they believe belonged to Ridley.

Ashmelash and Tavarez have been charged with murder and armed robbery. They remain in the DeKalb County jail.

In other news:

Therapy Dogs Comfort Grieving Families At Funeral Homes

About the Author

Ellen Eldridge
More Stories

Keep Reading

Brian Ellis was a 1989 graduate of Morrow High School in Clayton County, where he was a star quarterback. He then graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Credit: Kenneth Walker

Former Clayton County star quarterback killed in Washington plane crash

A Clayton County high school football legend was among the American Airlines passengers who died last week when the plane collided with a U.S. Army helicopter.

Trump promised big tariffs on 3 nations. What it would mean for Georgia

President-elect Donald Trump promised huge tariffs on three key Georgia trade partners. They will likely raise costs on billions of Georgia imports.

Train hits tractor-trailer in South Fulton, prompting road closures

The Latest

A train ran into a tractor-trailer in South Fulton on Monday night.

Credit: South Fulton Police Department

Train hits tractor-trailer in South Fulton, prompting road closures

‘You’re not invisible anymore.’ Funeral held for man killed at homeless encampment

Former Clayton County star quarterback killed in Washington plane crash

Featured

An email circulating through Georgia Tech told students and faculty to delete DEI terms from the school's website, but administrators said the email contained "misinformation." (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Email containing ‘misinformation’ raises DEI concerns at Georgia Tech

Ex-Georgia Bulldog Jalen Carter on fatal crash: ‘I’m sorry for everything that happened’

Jalen Carter was considered the most talented player in the 2023 NFL draft, but the accident clouded his draft status. He was taken with the ninth overall pick by the Eagles.

Election skeptic chosen for job as Georgia election investigator

The State Election Board is hiring a new investigator who has previously expressed skepticism about fraud in the 2020 election.