Man gunned down outside Sandy Springs billiard hall

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Sandy Springs police say they're tracking new leads in the brutal murder of a Lithonia man shot several times outside a billiard hall.

Ellis Blue, 36, died Sept. 15 after police said a man opened fire on his car as he and his wife left Morgan Falls Billiards on Roswell Road.

"Several shots were fired into the car and of course he was hit several times," said Capt. Steve Rose. "It was close range."

Rose said Blue and the man had exchanged words over the suspect hitting on his wife.

"Brief argument and the men split," said Rose. "This man was killed. It's a terrible crime and somebody needs to come forward."

Rose said there were about 20-25 people outside of the club because it was closing. Enough witnesses got a look at the shooter to give police a description and the GBI has released a composite sketch of the killer.

"There is a chance the man is local or has frequented the area prior to this," he said.

Police said Blue recently moved to Atlanta from the Chicago area and worked in security and as a painter at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Neighbors told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik that Blue and his wife have a daughter and described them as a nice couple who kept to themselves.

"It's just an eerie feeling knowing someone in your neighborhood's been killed like that," said Damon Smith, who told Petchenik he only saw Blue in passing from time to time. "It's definitely unfortunate."

Sandra Holt frequents the club and told Petchenik it's a "reputable place" that doesn't have these kinds of problems.

"Whoever did that, he ain't nothing but the devil, got the spirit of the devil," she said. "You don't disrespect a man and his wife. You don't do nothing like that."

Anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer is eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. Call Crimestoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (404-577-8477).

WSBTV