ATLANTA — A friend of the man shot and killed Tuesday morning near Morehouse College in southwest Atlanta gave Channel 2 Action News a photo of the victim and pleaded for anyone with information that could help police to come forward.
"He told me to be safe and I told him to do the same. Then, I wake up the next morning to this information, and it is heartbreaking," SeaQuan Platts told Channel 2's Matt Belanger.
Platts said he learned about 20-year-old Antonio McBride's death Wednesday morning.
Atlanta police are searching for at least two suspects who they say shot and killed McBride on Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard at Parsons Street near Morehouse College early Tuesday morning. Police said a witness reported hearing McBride say "I don't have it" just before the suspects fired.
"I'm under the assumption they were trying to rob him for something he didn't even have," Platts said.
Police released surveillance video of the vehicle they believe the suspects got into after the shooting. It was recorded at a nearby gas station shortly after the shooting early Tuesday morning. Police are asking for the public's help identifying the vehicle.
"If no one stands up to say anything it will just be another cold case that just gets left undone," Platts said.
In response to the shooting, neighbors gathered for a meeting to discuss ways to fight crime in their area. They met with police and other community leaders Wednesday evening.
"That's one of the big reasons why we had this summit," said Alan Holmes, who helped organized the meeting. "We can try to eliminate some of the issues related to violence."
"Making sure what we can do like lighting porches and not leaving things in cars," neighbor Jacqui Pinkney told Belanger.
They discussed several options, including improving street lighting and working with area businesses.
"What we want to do is have a seamless relationship with the community," said Maj. Vincent Moore with Atlanta police.
Anyone who might have information about the car shown in the surveillance video should contact crime stoppers at 404-5477-8477.
WSBTV
