John David Price, a 42-year-old African American man, had moved to Atlanta less than a year before his life was tragically cut short. He had aspirations of starting a new life and eventually opening his own business. Friends described him as a dedicated and kind-hearted individual, a 'big teddy bear' who was not one to start confrontations. With a background in security work, he was committed to any task he undertook.
In the early morning hours of May 25, 2019, Price was working as a
security guard at the Atlantis Restaurant and Lounge on Piedmont Circle Northeast in Atlanta. As the lounge was closing, an altercation broke out. A male customer reportedly became upset over the price of admission, pulled out a handgun, and began shooting. In the ensuing chaos, John David Price was fatally shot. Two other people were also injured in the incident.
Atlanta police responded to the scene and collected multiple shell casings. Investigators launched a search for the shooter and released surveillance footage of the suspects to the public in the hopes of identifying them. Despite these efforts, the individual responsible for the shooting remained at large. The lack of an immediate arrest brought further grief and frustration to Price's friends and family, who mourned the senseless loss of a man they remembered for the joy he brought to those around him. In the wake of the tragedy, questions were raised about the adequacy of security measures at the venue.
