In the early morning hours of February 21, 2021, a dispute at a Chevron gas station on Flat Shoals Road in southeast Atlanta turned deadly, claiming the life of 24-year-old Kemontae Wheeler. Wheeler, a Black male, had gone to the gas station to use the ATM. A verbal altercation broke out inside the station between two groups, which quickly escalated into a physical fight and then gunfire.
During the exchange of fire, Wheeler was shot.
Despite his injuries, he managed to get into his car and drive away from the scene, ultimately crashing near his mother's home. His mother, Tiffany Wheeler, found him and performed CPR until he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His last words to his mother were, 'Mama can you help me?'. Another man was also shot and critically injured during the incident at the gas station.
The Atlanta Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting, releasing surveillance photos of two men they believed were involved. Their investigation led to the identification of two suspects: 38-year-old Torri Deante Crowder and 38-year-old Antonio Rodriquez Henderson. Both men were subsequently arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. Crowder was taken into custody on February 26, 2021, followed by Henderson's arrest on March 23, 2021. Both suspects were booked into the Dekalb County Jail.
