Deadly shooting forces 3 Atlanta elementary schools on lockdown as police searched for suspect

On Wednesday afternoon, three Atlanta schools were on lockdown before dismissal after a man was shot and killed at a nearby convenience store.

Channel 2 Action News was near Cleveland Avenue Elementary, where the school was so close to the crime scene that police had to escort students who normally walk home on a detour while other officers searched for a suspect.

The Atlanta Police Department said the shooting happened at a convenience store on Cleveland Avenue.

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“Upon arrival, the officers did locate a male who was deceased from multiple gunshot wounds,” APD Lt. Christopher Butler told Channel 2’s Michael Doudna.

Officers rushed to the scene after receiving a 911 call about a shooting. When they arrived, they found a man, 56-year-old Darryl Callaway, bleeding on the pavement.

Members of Callaway’s family identified him as the victim.

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Police said the shooting happened after an argument between Callaway and another man, leading to the beloved father and grandfather’s death.

Callaway’s family said Darryl often walked to stores in the area.

“Remember him as a good person,” relative Lettie Thrash said. “He never tried to hurt anybody or anything.”

As APD searched for a shooter, Cleveland Avenue Elementary and two other nearby elementary schools were locked down.

A member of the community, Michael Benson, told Channel 2 Action News that the neighborhood wasn’t always like this.

“Man, this neighborhood has gone to crap, man,” Benson said. “Growing up here, it just used to be a different area. It takes their dignity away.”

Benson said children growing up in the area should be able to have pride in where they come from, that they should still have dignity growing up there.

“It strips that away from them,” Benson said.

Shortly after the shooting, which happened around 1:33 p.m., police located a car belonging to the suspect and after a brief chase and crash, they were detained.

The suspect was not identified by police.

While detectives continue their search for answers, Callaway’s family was left grieving and the community frustrated by it all.

Channel 2 Action News has asked APD if they are able to identify the suspect and reveal the charges they face.

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