Dean Phillips was shot and killed in a "brazen criminal act" at Manuel's Tavern in northeast Atlanta on Oct. 27, 2022. (Crime Stoppers Atlanta)
ATLANTA - Police continue to search the person responsible for "brazen", deadly shooting at the legendary Manuel’s Tavern in northeast Atlanta.
Detectives say a patron of the bar, later identified as Dean Phillips, was shot to death while trying to stop the gunman from breaking into cars on Oct. 27, 2022.
Owner Brian Maloof spoke to FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo the day after the deadly shooting. He said Phillips just closed his tab and headed out the door, when he encountered the would-be robber in the parking area behind the bar, which also has tents and tables for customers to sit at.
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Man killed outside Manuel's Tavern trying to stop car thief
An Atlanta institution became a crime scene late Thursday night. Police say a customer at Manuel's Tavern was shot to death after confronting a man who was trying to break into cars.
He said about 15 people watched the encounter with the thief, all of whom had already called 911.
Then, the guy pulled out a gun and shot Phillips point-blank in the torso.
He said a staff member who had military training began treating the man, but it was already too late.
Witnesses said the shooter jumped into a getaway car waiting nearby and sped off.
Atlanta Police canvass the parking lot of Manuel's Tavern after a deadly shooting on Oct. 27, 2022. (FOX 5)
The bar has been around for 66 years and has become a popular spot for politicians, including former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Maloof said this is the first time anything like this has happened since its opening in 1956.
None of the bar’s security cameras captured the incident because they are focused on the doors to the establishment.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to the arrest and indictment of the shooting suspect. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for the reward by calling the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477).