Shooting Death Near QUAD

Atlanta police are investigating the shooting death of a man early Saturday morning stemming from a dispute among partygoers at the QUAD nightclub that spilled out into a nearby parking lot.

"It appears the incident started inside a club based on an argument that escalated into the shooting a short distance from the club," Atlanta Police Department Lt. Paul Guerrucci, told 11Alive, regarding the 4:20 a.m. incident.

The male victim, who was not identified, was shot and killed in Spring Street parking lot behind the Varsity restaurant, as the Quad was closing, police said.

In an e-mail to Midtown Patch, Quad owner Rick D. Day said the incident stemmed from a comment made to a woman among two groups of partygoers.

He gave the following account:

A party goer was the victim of a drive by shooting at approximately 4:20 a.m. Saturday at 688 Spring St. According to witnesses and videotape, two groups of people at a party held at QUAD got into an argument over a comment made to a woman, which then escalated outside.

One group including the perpetrator headed north up Spring towards Arby's and the other group headed south toward Concentra. Venue security cameras clearly show the perpetrator flashing gang signs and making gestures of hostility.

When the victim, his friends and brother were in the Lanier lot next to Concentra at 688 Spring, a further altercation developed resulting in the death of the victim, who died in his brother's arms. Blood was found in the lot after APD homicide left the scene in space number 133.

A small memorial of beads and sunglasses was left by someone within hours.

The perpetrators are four black males ages 21-28. The alleged shooter was wearing a thick black 'pea jacket' and dreds. The other three individuals were in their late 20s, with the driver of the car possibly wearing a plaid shirt.  The left the scene in a green early 2000 model Toyota Camry.

QUAD management utilizes ID scanners to verify the integrity of the ID, or to check if it has been 'passed back' to someone else in line. QUAD security clearly remembers the suspects because the suspect had $4,000 in cash on him when searched for weapons. The security officer admonished the suspect to be careful flashing cash. Allegedly the suspected shooter bragged that he had a gun in his car, therefore he was confident he would not be accosted.

Video shows the individuals leaving the party as a group of 6 headed to Arby's. One individual runs ahead, apparently to the vehicle. The video then shows a black male and a white female separate from the other four. According to the parking lot attendant, who witnessed everything outside that lead to the shooting, the four individuals seemed angry and shouted threats at the other group, by then over a block away.

His license information, as well as the other two suspects are now in the hands of APD Homicide Investigators.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404.577.TIPS (8477).