Patrol officer finds body in NW Atlanta road

ATLANTA — A man's body was found on the side of a northwest Atlanta road early Thursday.

An officer found the body under a street light on west Lake Avenue between Evelyn Way and Madrona Street. Atlanta police are investigating the death as a homicide. Neighbors said the victim was a friendly man who lived down the road.

"He was a good friend, and he was good person," Rochelle Traylor told Channel 2's Sophia Choi.

She said his name was Rick, and he worked in construction.

"He worked hard every day. He'd go to work. He always takes care of his business," Traylor said.

An Atlanta police officer patrolling the area found the body shortly after 4:30 a.m. Police initially thought it was connected to a hit-and-run but now believe he was possibly shot.

"We did locate some shell casings a short distance from the victim, so that's our strongest evidence that he may have been shot," Atlanta police Lt. Paul Guerrucci said.

Police also found blood near the body, but no clear bullet wounds. Investigators believe the wound is hidden under clothes in the lower part of the victim's body. Autopsy results are pending.

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WSBTV