A 35‑year‑old former Myrtle Beach High School football player was gunned down Tuesday afternoon inside an Atlanta apartment complex, becoming the latest victim of a violent crime that has shaken the city’s neighborhoods.
The shooting unfolded at 55 Maple Street NW in the Vine City district, where police found Demazio Skelton Jr. already dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Two additional victims were rushed to hospitals in stable condition, while a fourth managed to flee the scene in a private vehicle, underscoring the chaotic nature of the attack.
Investigators say the assault began as a suspected robbery attempt, with the gunman and three unidentified accomplices breaking into the apartment, confronting the occupants and sparking a struggle that erupted into gunfire.
A campus mourns
The university’s athletics department highlighted Skelton’s role as a safety for the Georgia State Panthers from 2011 to 2012, recalling his tenure as a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Myrtle Beach High before his college years.
Alumni and former teammates have taken to social media to pay tribute, sharing memories of his competitive spirit and camaraderie, while the broader football community mourns the loss of a promising talent.
Nineteen‑year‑old Naim Smith was taken into custody and charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of armed robbery, a development that has drawn swift attention from local law enforcement.
During the subsequent search, officers uncovered packages of suspected marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms inside the unit, suggesting a possible link to drug trafficking that may have motivated the robbery.
Georgia State University released a statement expressing profound sorrow, describing Skelton as an exceptional student‑athlete whose contributions on the field and in the classroom will be remembered by the campus community.
The tragedy has reignited conversations about public safety in Atlanta’s neighborhoods, with community leaders urging increased patrols and youth outreach programs to curb violent crime.
Authorities continue to process evidence and interview witnesses, hoping to piece together a full picture of the events that led to the fatal confrontation, as the case moves through the criminal justice system.