Local

1 man dead after triple shooting behind Clayton County gas station

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Police are looking for a shooter after he opened fire in a pathway behind a gas station on Highway 42 in Clayton County.

Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri talked to a worker at the gas station who heard the shots ring out at about 8 p.m. Monday.

Police said someone shot three men, killing one of them, in the nearby woods behind a sofa and a dumpster.

Police said Keith Andre Davis, of Rex, was seriously injured. The second victim was identified as Sheldon Derrell Thomas, of Atlanta. Both men were taken to Atlanta Medical Center. Police have not released the name of the man who was killed, pending notification of family.

A clerk inside the convenience store around the time of the shooting called 911.

"I heard the gunshot, shooting outside five to six rounds," clerk Raj Palakurthy said.

Palakurthy said he stayed inside the Texaco convenience store where he works and locked himself inside the cash register area.

"I think something going on back there. That's why I want to be secure. So I called the cops and locked the doors," he told Viteri.

"As soon as I got here the cops had the road blocked off and the helicopter was landing and I just wanted to figure out what was going on," witness John Royal said.

A witness sent Viteri a picture showing the Life Flight helicopter taking one of the victims to Atlanta Medical Center. Another went by ambulance. Police confirmed a third man died in the woods.

"There is a trail that runs from the back of the woods to the adjacent or the adjoining mobile home park," said Sgt. Kevin Hughes with the Clayton County Police Department.

Police said people often use the trail as a shortcut to the gas station.

Viteri saw detectives gathered at the woodline behind the gas station working to learn more about who shot the men and why.

A K-9 unit searched briefly but a police source told Viteri the dog couldn't pick up a scent.

"If there's anyone who has information if they would just contact the police department or they can even call Crime Stoppers," Hughes said.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.