In the early moments of February 2, 2022, Tyshon 'Ty' Ross, a 28-year-old man working as a security guard at the Encore Hookah Bar and Bistro on Luckie Street in downtown Atlanta, found himself in a dispute with a patron. The disagreement led to Ross, who was just days past his 28th birthday, escorting the man, identified as 21-year-old Damon John-Michael Wilson, out of the establishment. The conflict, however, did not end there.
Once outside, the altercation escalated, and Wilson produced a firearm, shooting Ross multiple times. Emergency services were called to the chaotic scene shortly after midnight, and Ross was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly, and Atlanta police identified Damon Wilson as the primary suspect. He was arrested on February 15, 2022, and initially faced a slate of serious charges, including murder, aggravated assault, simple battery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The case then proceeded through the legal system, marked by several delays that prolonged the wait for justice for Ross's grieving family, including his fiancée, Aaliyah Strong. Strong had recently started working at the same lounge to help with their shared expenses.
Nearly three years after the fatal shooting, as the trial was set to begin in early December 2024, a resolution was reached. Just before jury selection commenced, Damon John-Michael Wilson entered into a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter, along with aggravated assault, simple battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea deal, which had the support of Tyshon Ross's parents, brought a close to the protracted court proceedings. Wilson was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison for his role in the death of Tyshon Ross, a senseless act of violence that cut a young life short.
