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Devon Anderson

Gender : Male

Age : 28

Race : Black

Date : 08/05/2024

Location : 5495 Old National Highway

City : College Park

County : Fulton

State : Georgia

Agency : Atlanta Police Department

Officer(s) :Melvin Potter

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by off-duty officer

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On August 5, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m., off-duty Atlanta Police Department Officer Melvin Potter, aged 30, was attending a birthday celebration for a South Fulton Police officer at a bar located at 5495 Old National Highway in College Park, Georgia. As Officer Potter escorted a fellow attendee to her vehicle, he became involved in an argument with a group of individuals in the parking lot. The confrontation escalated, leading Officer Potter to discharge his firearm, fatally wounding 38-year-old Devon Anderson. Anderson was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Officer Background:
Prior Incidents: Officer Potter was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Coweta County in 2022. Following the August 5 shooting, he was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of law enforcement officers.
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Family and Community Response:
Family's Stance: Devon Anderson's family has been vocal in seeking justice, expressing frustration over the lack of charges against Officer Potter for the shooting. His mother, Valerie Anderson, has publicly demanded accountability, stating, "I need justice for my son, and I’m not going anywhere until I get justice."
Eyewitness Accounts: Witnesses reported that Anderson attempted to de-escalate the situation before being shot. A witness stated that Anderson was trying to defuse the argument when Officer Potter shot him.
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Investigation:
GBI Involvement: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an independent investigation into the incident. Upon completion, the case file will be submitted to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
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Officer Status: Following the incident, Officer Potter was relieved of duty. As of the latest reports, he remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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Community Actions:
Protests and Advocacy: Community activists and family members have organized protests and public demonstrations, calling for transparency and accountability. They have criticized the Atlanta Police Department for what they perceive as protection of Officer Potter, especially given his prior DUI conviction and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality
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Last Update: 12/02/2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-08-05/gbi-investigates-shooting-death-involving-duty-atlanta-police-officer
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/gbi-off-duty-atlanta-police-officer-shot-killed-man-during-argument-leaving-bar/85-4083d665-c50f-444c-8455-d024d5bbd61d
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/south-fulton-county/family-man-killed-by-off-duty-apd-officer-birthday-wants-know-why-he-hasnt-been-charged/MHLZ3RUOUZFIXDMLUHGXJJ4YKA/
https://atlanta.capitalbnews.org/atlanta-police-off-duty-homicide/
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/atlanta-police-officer-shoots-man-paid-leave
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mother-demands-justice-off-duty-apd-officer-shot-killed-her-son-despite-not-being-charged-for-it/85-b657868f-3f1a-4143-a8ec-99d5d9c5fe34
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/family-man-shot-killed-by-off-duty-atlanta-officer-demanding-justice/85-c7c8dda8-6ba1-4fc6-9254-2754708d856b
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/devon-anderson-atlanta-police-officer-deadly-shooting-south-fulton
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/apd-off-duty-officer-arrested-after-man-shot-death-outside-bar-during-birthday-party/WBVSX6GBENBI7PMKPLEKCOKZBY/