Police: College Park murder possibly linked to Craigslist ad

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - Authorities say the shooting death of a man in College Park may be linked to an advertisement he had posted on Craigslist.

“I mean it was seven shots, 6 or 7 shots boom, boom, boom, boom, just popping,” one witness told FOX 5 News.

Police said Jamal Hodge was killed at this College Park Condominium complex on November 5, just two weeks shy of his 39th birthday.

Clayton County Police said Hodge was found shot to death outside of his white Tahoe truck around 7 p.m. Investigators believe his death was tied to something he was trying to sell on Craigslist.

“I don’t know why they just didn’t take what they wanted but just let him live that was just senseless, a tragedy,” said Reverend George Champion.

Champion joined friends and family at World Changers Church for Monday’s funeral service for the Union City man. Hodge, an IT professional and martial arts expert was described as a strong Christian, devoted husband and father to his six children.

“I miss the friendship, the talk, the teaching, I miss watching him and his family interact,” said Champion.

Champion believes whoever killed Hodge lured him to the crime scene using Craigslist as a ruse.

“He was set up. He was too street smart for that,” said Champion.

A resident at the complex who asked us not to show his face or identify him by name recalled seeing Hodge moments before the shooting.

“He sat there about 15 minutes and about five minutes after that two young guys dressed in black walked over to the truck,” said the man.

The man said he walked inside then heard gunshots.

Atlanta Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

“Like most cowards, what do they do, they shoot you, if they have a weapon like that, evil knows no bounds. They just don't care,” said Champion.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about this case, please call police at 404-577-TIPS (8477).