Bloody Night: 3 Deadly Shootings In Northwest Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Police in Atlanta have made one arrest so far in a string of three deadly shootings that happened within four hours of each other Thursday night in northwest Atlanta.

The shootings do not appear to have been related, according to police, but still mark a particularly deadly few hours for the city.

"Gun violence in our communities is deeply concerning and three shooting deaths in such a short period of time is unacceptable ...," Atlanta Police Department spokesman Sgt. John Chafee said in an email. "Our homicide investigators are among the best in the business and we are confident that they will identify the offenders and get them off the streets."

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On Friday, police charged Tremayne Smith, 36, with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the death of a 17 year old.

Officers were called at 8:08 p.m. to 3020 Delmar Ln., where they found the teen having been shot in the chest and leg. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries. Police say the teen was "involved in some type of a dispute" with Tremayne.

Then, at 11:04 p.m., officers responded to 2190 Verbena St. to find the body of a 30-year-old man laying in the parking lot. Police say that death, too, was from a shooting, but did not release additional details Friday morning.

Less than an hour later, at 11:55 p.m. officers were called to 663 Simmons St. in reference to gunshots being fired. When they arrived, witnesses directed them to a home, where a man, who had been shot in his left side, was laying inside the doorway.

The man was approximately 40 years old, according to police. He was conscious when police found him and as he was taken to Grady, but died at the hospital. Shell casings were found both inside and outside the home, police said.

Investigators continued Friday afternoon following up on leads in all of the cases.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone.