In a tragic turn of events on a Sunday evening, an anti-violence rally in a South Fulton park became the backdrop for the very thing it was campaigning against. Eighteen-year-old Malik Wesley Hambrick, a male, was shot and killed on April 24, 2022, at Welcome All Park. The shooting occurred just steps away from where the 'Stop the Violence' rally was being held.
According to police, Hambrick was attending a separate private event at another pavilion in the park when a dispute broke out. The altercation escalated, and both Hambrick and another individual, 19-year-old Carl Williams, drew firearms. Williams fired a single shot that fatally struck Hambrick. The city of South Fulton's police chief, Keith Meadows, stated that Williams claimed the victim had started shooting at multiple people before he fired his weapon.
A South Fulton city councilmember who had just finished speaking at the rally heard the gunfire and discovered Hambrick lying on the ground. His mother was also present at the scene. Officers who were providing security for the event were able to quickly detain Williams. Following an investigation, Carl Williams, of Union City, was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.
