In a tragic turn of events on a late summer evening, Walter Leon Cook, a 35-year-old man, lost his life in a fatal shooting in Decatur, Georgia. The incident, which unfolded on August 28, 2017, stemmed from a domestic dispute at the Wesley Club Apartments off of Interstate 20.
The conflict began when Cook's sister asked Robert Lee Hamilton Jr., the father of her child, to leave her apartment. An argument ensued, reportedly centered on his parenting.
The situation escalated dramatically when Hamilton allegedly produced a firearm and shot Walter Leon Cook twice, striking him in the chest and right arm. Despite being wounded, Cook managed to draw his own weapon and fire at least once before retreating into his apartment, where he collapsed in the dining room. An apartment security guard attempted to render aid by performing CPR, but Cook showed no signs of life while being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Following an investigation by the DeKalb County police, Robert Lee Hamilton Jr., then 29 years old, was identified as the suspect. He was arrested on September 1, 2017, and charged with felony murder. Hamilton also had a pre-existing warrant for a separate family violence charge.
Hamilton's legal journey saw him initially granted a $75,000 bond, which was later reduced to $30,000 in November 2017. However, in July 2018, a grand jury indictment led to new charges against him, including aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman during the incident. This development resulted in his re-arrest. The charges he ultimately faced included felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
