Thomas Alan Arnold, a 60-year-old male, was a cherished member of his Atlanta community, known for his kindness, love for the outdoors, and dedication to volunteer work. His life was tragically cut short in February 2022 when he was found shot to death near the Atlanta BeltLine, a popular pedestrian path. The discovery of his body in the early morning hours of February 26 near the intersection of Elizabeth and Bernina streets sent shockwaves through the Inman Park and Poncey-Highland
neighborhoods where he was a familiar and beloved figure.
The investigation into his death quickly became a homicide case, with the Atlanta Police Department recovering ballistic evidence from the scene and reviewing surveillance footage. Friends and family remembered Arnold as a man without enemies, leading to the belief that he was the victim of a random act of violence while walking home after a night out with friends. A reward for information leading to an arrest was offered to the public as investigators worked to piece together the events of that fatal night.
The investigation led to the identification of two suspects, Brandon Williams and Demetrice Ross. Williams was apprehended at a hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was identified by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office as the gunman. The subsequent trial revealed that Arnold was killed during an attempted robbery. Evidence presented included cell phone data placing the two men in the area at the time of the murder and text messages that incriminated them. In April 2025, a jury found both Demetrice Ross and Brandon Williams guilty of murder. They were both sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
