Following a violent shooting at a motorcycle club gathering in Forest Park, which resulted in two fatalities and three injuries, Mayor Angelyne Butler vowed to pursue the assailants with determination. In her strong-worded statement, she made it clear that lawlessness would not be tolerated, and that their community stands built on resilience and respect, "Forest Park is not a playground for lawlessness, as reported by 11Alive. If you believe you can bring violence here, know this: we will hunt you down with every legal tool at our disposal. You will face consequences."
The shooting took place yesterday, shortly before 5 p.m. at a mechanic's shop on First Street, between Jones Road and Old Dixie Highway according to a news release from the FOX 5 Atlanta, despite a swift and ongoing police response and aid from multiple agencies including the ATF and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office there are no suspects in custody yet, and while the incident wrought heartbreak upon the local community, Councilwoman Latresa Akins-Wells expressed both surprise and disappointment; not only because of the incident but because such violence is an aberration for the town.
Forest Park Police have been working ceaselessly to interview witnesses and investigate the crime scene, but at this point, the police have not disclosed the identities of the victims, nor identified any suspects. Mayor Butler urged the public to aid the investigation and asserted the city's dedication to safety and justice, "This is an ongoing investigation and our Police Department is moving swiftly and relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice. We are not standing by, we will stand up," Mayor Butler told 11Alive.
As the community of Forest Park reels from the shooting, the mayor's explicit commitment to track down and hold the perpetrators accountable; highlighting a no-tolerance stance against violence, she emphasized, "Let me be abundantly clear: if you come into Forest Park to cause chaos, we will find you, we will hold you accountable, and we will protect our city without hesitation," the mayor's words echo the sentiments of a city shaken by violence, yet resilient in the face of adversity, as detailed by 11Alive.
Officials continue to request that anyone with information that could possibly assist with the investigation should step forward and contact the Forest Park Police Department.
