A peaceable summer season night turned tragic when a taking pictures broke out throughout a fraternity picnic hosted by members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Atlanta’s Coan Park on Saturday, June 28. One man, described as a beloved mentor throughout the fraternity, was killed. One other man and the suspected gunman have been critically injured.
The picnic was an formally permitted occasion organized by an area chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, one of many Divine 9 organizations with deep roots throughout HBCU campuses. The fraternity, recognized for its sturdy dedication to neighborhood, mentorship, and repair, was gathered for a day of fellowship when gunfire shattered the night.
In line with WSB-TV, Atlanta police responded to studies of a taking pictures simply after 8 p.m. on the park, situated within the Kirkwood neighborhood of southeast Atlanta. Upon arrival, officers discovered two males affected by gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced lifeless on the scene. The second, together with the suspected shooter, was transported to an area hospital in essential situation.
Witnesses instructed authorities that the gunman—who was not a part of the picnic—approached the group carrying a ski masks and commenced to instigate a confrontation. As members of the fraternity tried to de-escalate the scenario, the person opened fireplace. In response, a number of Kappa Alpha Psi members who have been legally armed returned fireplace, in the end hanging the suspect.
The person who misplaced his life was not concerned within the argument. These current say he was making an attempt to calm the scenario and shield others when he was shot. He has been described as a mentor and father determine to lots of the youthful fraternity members—somebody who embodied the values of brotherhood and repair.
As of now, police haven’t launched the names of the victims or the suspect. No costs have been filed, and the investigation stays ongoing. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, gathering witness statements, and dealing to find out the precise sequence of occasions that led to the lethal confrontation.
The tragedy has left many within the Atlanta neighborhood and the better HBCU and Divine 9 circles in mourning. Fraternity gatherings, particularly in the summertime, are staples of Black tradition and community-building. For a lot of, parks like Coan function sacred floor for pleasure, celebration, and connection—not locations the place lives needs to be misplaced.
Gun violence at neighborhood occasions, notably these linked to HBCU alumni and organizations, raises broader issues about security, psychological well being, and the significance of battle decision in public areas.
Kappa Alpha Psi, based at Indiana College in 1911 and current on almost each HBCU campus—together with Morehouse School, Howard College, FAMU, and others—has not issued a proper assertion on the time of this writing. Nonetheless, fraternity brothers and supporters throughout social media have already begun honoring the life and legacy of the fallen mentor.
This can be a growing story. HBCU Buzz will present updates as extra data turns into accessible.
