In the late spring of 2022, the life of a 33-year-old African American woman named Ashley Chavone Watkins was tragically cut short in Stone Mountain, Georgia. On May 25th, police responded to a call about a person shot in the 4000 block of Autumn Circle. Upon their arrival, they discovered Ms. Watkins lying in the street with a gunshot wound to her abdomen. She was rushed to the Atlanta Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
The investigation into her death revealed a history of conflict with her 40-year-old tenant, Drew Brooks. The relationship between landlord and tenant had grown increasingly strained in the months leading up to the fatal incident. Ms. Watkins had been in the process of evicting Brooks from her home and had sought legal protection, making multiple unsuccessful requests for a Temporary Protective Order against him. The situation reached a breaking point on that May evening when a heated argument between them escalated to violence.
In the course of the altercation, Drew Brooks shot Ashley Watkins. He also threatened another woman who was present in the home, pointing his gun at her. Following the shooting, Brooks was arrested and faced a series of serious charges, including Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
During the legal proceedings, Brooks attempted to argue that he had acted in self-defense. However, this claim was ultimately refuted by video evidence presented during the trial, which showed that Ms. Watkins was holding her keys at the time she was shot. In April 2024, a jury found Drew Brooks guilty on all charges. He was subsequently sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for the death of Ashley Watkins.
