A man was found dead in the front yard of a Rockdale County home yesterday morning, prompting an investigation by local authorities. The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting around 8:50 a.m. in the area of Hurst Road and McDaniel Mill Road, where they discovered the body with a single gunshot wound, as FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
The victim's identity has not yet been disclosed as authorities await to notify his next of kin. The details regarding the incident remain scant, with no information on a suspect or motive immediately available. According to the Atlanta News First, the investigation is active and ongoing as the sheriff's office works to piece together what transpired.
In the wake of the shooting, local residents have expressed concern and shock. One neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recounted a loud noise that sounded like a blown tire the night before, leading her to initially dismiss it. However, the next morning, the street closure and law enforcement presence confirmed something more grave had occurred. "I said, 'Oh my God what happened?!'" she remarked in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Another resident, Stephanie Black, also described hearing what may have been a gunshot that night. Gunshots are not an uncommon sound in the area, she says, but the realization that she may have overheard the incident has left her feeling remorseful. "Oh, my God, I feel so bad. I really do. I should have went and actually called somebody, but I didn't. And then I feel really bad as a medical professional, maybe I could have saved them," Black told FOX 5 Atlanta.
The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information about the incident to contact their tip line at 770-278-8188, with the option to remain anonymous.
