Holiday Police News Roundup

Despite efforts by federal, local and state officials to keep violence down, crime was a problem in southwest Atlanta during the days leading up to July 4th. Here is a roundup of some of the news:

Unarmed Man Fatally Shot
According to a WSB-TV Report, on last Thursday evening, an Atlanta police officer shot a man to death, police said. Family members said the man was mentally disabled and unarmed.

The officer was conducting a traffic stop at about 7:30 p.m. near Campbellton Road and Childress Drive, Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. Curtis Davenport said.

Family members said 37-year-old Maurice Hampton was heading to a job interview at a nightclub before the shooting. Hampton pulled into the parking lot of a nearby business and fled on foot. Davenport said the officer pursued the Hampton for about 200 yards, and a fight broke out between them.

"At some point, the officer drew his service weapon and fired at least one round, fatally injuring the individual," Davenport said.

Police said the officer was likely protecting himself.

“If he feels at some point that his life is in danger, typically we instruct them to produce their city issued service weapon,” said Atlanta officer Keith Meadows.

Family members said Hampton may have been scared because of a mental condition, and he was driving without a license, “My brother has a seizure disorder. He’s on medication. He’s paranoid
schizophrenic,” stated Hampton’s sister to police. “He could’ve thought somebody’s trying to hurt him.”

The officer, who is not being named, received minor injuries in the scuffle.

He has been placed on a three-day administrative assignment as the shooting is investigated. Police are interviewing people who witnessed the traffic stop.

13-Year-Old Raped on Way to Summer School
On Tuesday, by two masked men as she was walking to summer school in the Pittsburgh Community, according to a report on WSB-TV Channel 2.

“It was about 7:30 in the morning. The victim was on the way to school, and she was actually using the cut-through,” Atlanta Police Lt. Staci Gibbs told WSB.

Police said when the girl got to the top of the hill on Smith Street, just east of McDaniel Street, she encountered two men who grabbed her, forced her to the ground and assaulted her.

Investigators said the men had their faces covered and described one of them as tall and thin with a brown complexion, and the other as short and stocky with dark skin.

issued a statement about the attack, stating she was “deeply” disturbed.  

Winslow is working with ministers and local community leaders to create scouting programs for boys and girls in Pittsburgh to provide activities “to keep our youth safe.” 

She has also implemented free movie-in-the park nights in Pittsburgh and plans to have more movie nights before the end of summer.  These events for the entire family include free refreshments, face painting, and storytelling.

Also, she commented, "It is extremely important that we all work together to make sure that our children have wholesome activities to occupy their time during the summer and that we keep a vigilant watch over them to guarantee their safety.”

Three Fatalities in 24 Hours

Within  In one shooting on Wednesday afternoon, police reported a murder and suicide of a male and female victim on Delmar Lane.

Also, about six miles away on Wednesday evening a male victim  was shot to death in the 2300 block of  Campbellton Rd. On Thursday, news reports stated that an APD officer killed an unarmed suspect.

According Police Spokesman, John Chaffee, on Saturday, a taxi-cab driver was carjacked, robbed and beaten at Northside Dr. and North Ave. 

Police requests  the community's help in solving these  crimes.

Man Turns Self In After Killing a Man at His Home  

after, shooting and killing a man at Robert's home in May. Also, police reported that Robert injured his girlfriend and  another man.

Heightened security, continued joint agency responses, including
community involvement activities are only a few suggestions to curtail violent acts.

Here are some ways you can help reduce crime in our community:

• Contact your city councilperson
• Contact and attend your local NPU (Neighborhood Planning Units)

meetings: NPU-H http://www.adamsville.us/community_calendar.

• Contact Crime Stoppers http://www.crimestoppersatlanta.org/index or dial  (404) 577-Tips  or 911 if you have information about a particular crime.
• Volunteer or Mentor at  a local youth agency: .