Dispute turns deadly: Two killed in southeast Atlanta tire shop shooting

ATLANTA - Two men were shot and killed Thursday afternoon after gunfire erupted at a tire store in southeast Atlanta, police said.

The shooting happened around 4 p.m. at a business on the 2900 block of Jonesboro Road. 

What we know:

It occurred at JMR New and Used Tires in the 2900 block of Jonesboro Road near Hutchens Road SE. Police in southeast Atlanta established a sprawling crime scene following the incident. Crime scene tape blocked the roadway just north of Hutchens Road SE, and dozens of police cars lined the street. 

According to the Atlanta Police Department, the store owner was shot and killed at the scene, while another man was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died. "It looks like there was a dispute that escalated into gunfire," Atlanta Police Department Homicide Commander Andrew Smith said.

Authorities believe the shooting involved a disgruntled employee. They confirmed the store owner’s son was also involved, though they have not disclosed his role. Police said he is currently being questioned at headquarters. "We do have a third person who is detained at headquarters who we believe shot the decedent who is here on scene," Smith said.

What they're saying:

Friends and community members mourned the store owner, describing him as a beloved figure. "That’s one of our boys in our neighborhood," said Clevette Jordan, a friend of the victim. "He’ll give you the world, man. He’ll give you the shirt off his back, he’ll do anything for anybody."

Musa Assem, who runs a tire distribution business, said the store owner was one of his favorite customers. "He would cheer up our guys at the warehouse all the time. His presence made a lot of difference every single day," Assem said. "This is a big loss."

What we don't know:

Police have not released the names of those involved or a motive for the shooting.

What's next:

The APD Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation.