Gunman, victim identified in I-285 road rage shooting

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A Stone Mountain family called the deadly road rage shooting of their loved one senseless and said they have been shattered by it.

The confrontation happened just before 5:30 p.m. Monday on Interstate 285 near U.S. Highway 78.  DeKalb County Police said the two men got into a crash in the southbound lanes during rush hour. Police said Chris Ervin, the driver of the Lexus, got out of his car and walked over to the pickup truck driven by Johnnie Hudson Jr.

“The driver of the sedan got out of his vehicle and approached the driver of the pickup truck, the driver of the pickup truck fired one shot,” said spokesperson, Shiera Campbell with the DeKalb County Police Department.

Investigators said Hudson sat in his car and shot Ervin through the closed driver’s side window, killing him. Officers said Hudson stayed on the scene.

“He was standing in the grassy area,” said Campbell. “There were two officers, one off duty and another in the area who stopped at the scene and took him into custody.”

"They say road rage, but that is an excuse. If that person is that angry to follow you and shoot you, that person is very low, a coward," said Charles Ervin.

The father of 10 said his 32-year-old son, Chris, was on his way to his parents’ house at the time of the deadly incident.

"To be taken away senselessly makes you angry, heartbroken and disappointed," said Ervin.

Family members said Ervin was a very generous father of three son who had an unmatched work ethic and drove a truck for a

"He'd sleep on the ground to go to work and be to work on time. That's the type of boy he was,” said Ervin. "He'd give you the shirt off his back. If you needed something, Chris would come and give it to you."

Ervin said his son was not armed. The family vowed they will follow the case through the criminal justice system, but they want to know why suspect Hudson allegedly pulled the trigger.

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