On a summer evening in Atlanta, the life of 36-year-old Joshua Deon Evans was tragically cut short. On July 15, 2021, Evans was standing outside the Pick'n'Pay convenience store at the corner of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Chappell Road in northwest Atlanta. It was approximately 9 p.m. when a dark-colored sedan drove by, and an occupant, or occupants, opened fire. Evans was struck by the gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His sister later described him as an innocent bystander caught in a senseless act of violence.
The drive-by shooting resulted in two other victims. A man in his 40s was also shot and was transported to a hospital in stable condition, while a woman in her 20s sustained a minor graze injury and did not require hospital treatment. The incident also claimed the life of 42-year-old Chicorley Vickers, who was wounded in the shooting and later died from his injuries, escalating the case to a double homicide.
The investigation into the shooting led Atlanta police to identify suspects. About a week after the incident, on July 21, investigators in the West End area spotted 19-year-old Antonio Deon Waller getting into a vehicle. When they attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, leading to a pursuit. The chase ended after the suspect's vehicle collided with another car, which was then pushed into a police cruiser and several parked cars. Waller and two other individuals were taken into custody after they attempted to flee on foot from the wrecked vehicle.
Antonio Deon Waller was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the drive-by shooting that killed Joshua Evans. As the investigation continued, a second suspect, Jontravious De'Anthony Arnold, was also arrested and charged with murder in October of that year.
