In the late hours of a Saturday night in August 2022, a dispute at an apartment complex in Clayton County, Georgia, turned deadly, claiming the life of 19-year-old Kiyre Allen. On August 13th, police responded to calls of a shooting at the Park at Leeds Apartments on Riverdale Road. Upon arrival, they discovered a chaotic scene with five individuals having been shot. While four of the victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Kiyre Allen was pronounced dead at the scene.
The young man, who had recently graduated from Creekside High School where he was voted 'Mr. Creekside,' was reportedly with friends, a group of aspiring entertainers, preparing to head to a show when the tragic events unfolded.
The violence erupted from what authorities believe was a dispute over a dirt bike. According to Allen's mother, her son and his friends were confronted about an allegedly stolen dirt bike as they were leaving. She stated that her son was attempting to de-escalate the situation when gunfire broke out, riddling the car they were in with bullets. One of the surviving victims later recounted that he was outside celebrating his birthday when he was shot in the foot, expressing his shock as it was the first time he had ever experienced such violence.
The investigation into Kiyre Allen's death spanned over two years. In December 2024, the Clayton County Police Department announced a significant breakthrough, identifying four individuals they believed were responsible for the shooting: Lathurston Hoffler, Marcus D. Brown, Lamonta Thomas, and a fourth unidentified male. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for Hoffler, Brown, and Thomas.
Authorities successfully took Lathurston Hoffler and Lamonta Thomas into custody. Jail records indicate that Thomas, who was 22 years old at the time of his arrest, is facing charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and battery. However, Marcus D. Brown remains at large, and the identity of the fourth suspect is still unknown. The Clayton County Police Department has continued to appeal to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of Brown and the identification of the final suspect, as they work to bring full closure to the family of Kiyre Allen.
