In the early morning hours of April 15, 2022, 59-year-old Rubin 'Pokey' F. Bridges, an African American male, was found shot to death in Atlanta, Georgia. Responding to a call about a car crash, police discovered Bridges inside his vehicle at the Donnelly Courts Apartments on Donnelly Avenue. He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the shots were fired from inside the car.
The Atlanta Police Department's homicide unit immediately began an investigation into Bridges' death. They released a photo of him to the public and offered a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest. Known affectionately as 'Pokey' by some, a nickname given to him by his great-grandmother, Bridges was a married man and a cherished grandfather to his twin granddaughters. His family and friends were left devastated by his sudden and violent death.
In the months following the shooting, Bridges' widow, Esther Regina Bridges, spoke of the family's struggle to comprehend the senseless act. She described her husband as a man who loved fashion and was always willing to help others. While an arrest was made in connection with the case, the investigation has been described as ongoing in reports from mid-2022 and early 2023. As of the latest available information, further details regarding the suspect or the progression of the case through the legal system have not been publicly released.
