In the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, a tragedy unfolded on April 22, 2022, cutting short the life of 31-year-old Bobby Edward Stembridge Jr. An African American male, Stembridge was with his girlfriend, Tanesha Mentzy, at the Auburn Glenn Apartments when they came upon a startling scene: three individuals in the process of breaking into vehicles. In a courageous attempt to intervene, Stembridge confronted the suspects.
This act of bravery was met with sudden and devastating violence.
The suspects, without hesitation, opened fire on both Stembridge and Mentzy as they tried to flee. Stembridge was struck multiple times, and Mentzy sustained a gunshot wound to her ankle. Both were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, but tragically, Stembridge succumbed to his injuries. The Atlanta Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation into the senseless act.
In the days that followed, investigators worked to identify those responsible for Stembridge's death. They released surveillance footage to the public that captured two of the suspects riding scooters through a parking garage less than an hour before the fatal shooting. The hope was that someone would recognize the individuals and come forward with information. Despite these efforts, the suspects remained at large, and as of the latest available information, no arrests had been made in the case. The investigation remains open as authorities continue to seek justice for Bobby Edward Stembridge Jr.
The community mourned the loss of a man who was remembered as a great person. His family and friends gathered for a Celebration of Life Service on May 7, 2022, at the Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home in Riverdale, Georgia, before he was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in South Fulton. The search for his killers continues.
