Double shootings at Hairston Square Shopping Plaza, DeKalb police urging public to hold tempers—”just walk away”

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—In the wake of two separate shootings that occurred last weekend at the Hairston Square Shopping Place, the DeKalb County Police Department is offering some sage advice to the public. 

“Regarding the Friday shooting, we are seeing more incidents of violence that stem from arguments getting out of control. There is no harm to be done if all parties can just walk away from an argument. There can, however, be lifelong and life-ending consequences the moment someone pulls out a weapon. Violence is not the answer. It has a destructive ripple effect, hurting many more people besides those in the immediate conflict. Just walk away,” the Police Department stated in a news release on Tuesday, June 24. 

Meanwhile, investigators are seeking leads from the public in one of the shootings.  The suspects in that incident—believed to be teens—abandoned a stolen car they were riding in and fled into a nearby wooded area after the shooting.

The first incident happened on Friday, around 3:30 p.m., outside a nail salon at 1173 S. Hairston Road. The shooting started after a woman said she believed a man was disrespecting her and called her boyfriend, Antionne Ryan, police said. Ryan, 22, arrived on scene wearing a mask and carrying a gun. Witnesses told police Ryan shot a man in his late 40s. They said the victim’s son then pulled out a gun and shot Ryan multiple times. Ryan later died of his injuries. 

Investigators determined the shooting of Ryan was justified. The case will be sent to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s office for review, police said. The victim’s son also suffered a gunshot wound. Several vehicles and two businesses were hit by gunfire, but no one else was hurt, police said. 

The second incident happened just before 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, outside a business at 1175 S. Hairston Road. Multiple suspects, possibly teenagers, arrived at the plaza in a stolen vehicle, got out and started shooting toward the Taste of Jamaica Restaurant, police said. Inside, a man in his late 50s was shot in both ankles and a woman in her early 60s was hurt by broken glass. Both were taken to a hospital for their injuries. The suspects then drove out of the parking lot, only to crash into another vehicle at S. Hairston near Redan Road. All suspects got out and ran into nearby woods. Investigators could not find them. 

Anyone with information can send a tip through the free Tip411 app or by texting “DKPD” to 847411.

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