APD addresses neighbor concerns after Kirkwood shooting

ATLANTA - Neighbors packed a church Thursday evening to talk about their concerns after a deadly shooting in downtown Kirkwood.

The Kirkwood Neighbors' Organization holds monthly meetings at Turner Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church.  A representative from the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 6 usually attends the events to answer questions. 

"We certainly recognize that it's a partnership--the Atlanta Police Department partnering with the community," explained Major Timothy Peek, Zone 6 commander.  "That brings us success.  When we operate by ourselves, we're not as successful as we could be.  So, we certainly--we welcome community involvement."

The meeting came just days after someone opened fire on Hosea L. Williams Drive NE, killing Jabril Ab'dur-rahman, also known as “Yung Mazi.”

Some residents questioned why APD did not send out a neighborhood alert after the shooting.  Others asked how neighbors can help police if something like that were to happen again.

Many said this was an isolated incident and do not worry about the overall safety of their neighborhood. 

"It's one of those things that can happen anywhere," said Tim Downs, who has lived in Kirkwood for several years.  "You know, obviously in this particular instance, the person who was shot was a guy at pretty high risk.  He'd been shot at many times before this.  So, yeah.  I don't feel myself that I'm in any personal danger or that my family's in personal danger.  This is a safe, stable neighborhood and I've loved living here."

Atlanta Police said the investigation into the murder remains open and they ask anyone with information to call Detective T. Casey or Crime Stoppers.