Expand / Collapse search
☰

Family continues to search for answers after deadly shooting at DeKalb County apartment parking lot

By
Updated  April 11, 2021 12:10am EDT
DeKalb County
FOX 5 Atlanta

DeKalb Police continue search for gunman in double shooting

The victim's family told FOX 5 they are hoping for justice as they mourn the father of 6 children.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County police are still searching for answers after a double shooting that killed a father of 6 and injured a 15-year-old boy.

The shooting happened at an apartment complex on Fairington Ridge on Easter Sunday.

The days are hard and the nights are a little longer for Marsha Johnson but she’s surrounded by love and support after her husband, Othneil Johnson, was shot and killed Easter Sunday.

Othneil was hit and killed while helping fix a friend's car at the apartment complex.

"They took a good man and a good amazing father away from his children," Marsha Johnson said, "He got up at 8:30 and I was like why are you going to help this man and he said he had to go help the man because he needed the car for Monday. He promised he would be back in time to go to church."

SEE ALSO: Police: 1 dead, 1 injured in apartment parking lot shooting

DeKalb police say a gun battle started between several men in the parking lot killing the 45-year-old.

A 15-year-old boy was also injured however, neither of the victims were the intended targets.

"He really loved his family and he especially these five years he was focused on getting his family stable," Marcell Tucker, a family member, said.

"He would always help. No matter what you needed help with he would always help you," Johnson said.

Othneil moved to Atlanta from New York years ago and is the father to 6 children.

"I’m not hopeless. I’m not in a state of despair. Despair is different from hurt. I’m hurt but I’m not in a state of despair because I know what my husband wanted for us and I’ve watched him grow,"  Johnson said.

1 dead, 1 teen injured in apartment shooting

The fatal shooting happened Sunday afternoon outside a DeKalb County apartment complex.

While DeKalb police continue their search for those responsible this family is wrapped in the warm memories left behind.

"I’m so proud of him. I’m so honored to be his wife. More now than I was ever," Johnson said.

The family has created a GoFundMe to help with expenses. If you would like to help click here.

WATCH: FOX 5 Atlanta live news coverage

_____

Sign up for FOX 5 email alerts

Download the FOX 5 Atlanta app for breaking news and weather alerts.