In the summer of 2018, a senseless act of violence tragically cut short the life of Anthony Cooley, a 43-year-old man from Stone Mountain, Georgia. On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 13th, Cooley was at the Quick Stop Food Mart on North Hairston Road and Central Drive when a shootout erupted between two other individuals. Cooley, an innocent bystander, was caught in the crossfire and fatally wounded.
The investigation by the DeKalb County Police Department led to the arrest of 19-year-old De'Arius Woods. According to police, someone at another gas station across the street had fired at Woods, who then returned fire. It was during this exchange that Cooley was struck and killed. Another man was also injured during the incident, though details about his involvement have not been widely released.
In the wake of the tragedy, Anthony Cooley's family was left devastated by their sudden and profound loss. His mother, Margie Thornton, expressed the deep pain of losing her son, who she was used to having around her. Despite their grief, the family, describing themselves as devout Christians, expressed a sentiment of forgiveness towards the young man responsible for Cooley's death. The family held a vigil to honor his memory and made a plea for an end to the violence that had claimed their loved one.
De'Arius Woods was taken into custody and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Anthony Cooley's death. He was being held without bond following his arrest. The case highlights the devastating and far-reaching consequences of gun violence, which in this instance, claimed the life of a man who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
