Local

Club owner helps cops find gunman in deadly shooting

ATLANTA — Police are releasing new details about a deadly shooting that happened outside of a midtown club early Saturday.

Atlanta police say 24-year-old Morie Brooks was shot to death outside the Quad club on Spring Street, just as it was about to close at about 4 a.m. Saturday.

Now, the club's owner tells Channel 2's Ashley Swann he is doing all he can to help police find the gunman.

"Our goal is to make sure this killer is brought to justice," said Rick Day. He shared surveillance photos he hopes will lead police to the shooter.

Police said an altercation between Brooks and the gunman started inside the club.

"Some words were said. They both left," said Day.

But moments later outside, police say the argument picked back up and Brooks was fatally shot in the back -- steps away from the famous Varsity restaurant. Multiple witnesses were in sight, including friends of both the victim and the gunman.

Day said, "The camera clearly shows the perpetrators flashing gang signs, pointing at him, still yelling at him and arguing with him. My wife and I are devastated over this. All of the people who attend our facilities are like family to us."

Brooks' family spoke with Swann at their home in Peachtree City Saturday night. They were too emotional to go on camera but released his photo and shared that he was the baby of five children, as well as a father to an 18-month-old boy.

"This family needs peace. And what happened -- no matter what the words -- clearly was not worth one young man losing his life," said Day.

In addition to the surveillance photos, Day hopes ID scanners from his club can help police identify the shooter.

"We're doing everything we can," Day said.

Day said the gunman was seen leaving the scene with his friends in a late 2000s model Toyota Camry.