A gathering of fraternity brothers in an Atlanta park took a tragic turn, resulting in the death of Anthony Pearson, a 33-year-old male. The peaceful Saturday evening on June 06, 2025 at Coan Park was shattered when an uninvited guest arrived and instigated a confrontation. This man, later identified as 23-year-old Justin Minnitee, reportedly became argumentative with members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity who were holding a permitted event.
Despite attempts by some of the fraternity
members to quell the disturbance, the situation escalated dramatically. Minnitee, who was wearing a mask, produced a firearm and opened fire. In the ensuing chaos, Anthony Pearson was struck by a bullet to the head and died at the scene. Remembered as a devoted father to his young daughter, Avery, a loving son, and a cherished brother, Pearson was also a mentor to the younger members of his fraternity. His family recalled how he had stepped into a leadership role within their family following the passing of their father.
The violence did not end with Pearson's death. In the immediate aftermath of the initial shots, other individuals at the picnic who were legally carrying concealed weapons returned fire, striking Minnitee multiple times. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries. In addition to the two fatalities, two women, aged 20 and 30, were also injured during the exchange of gunfire. They transported themselves to the hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and as Minnitee, the sole suspect, is deceased, no arrests have been made. It was later revealed that Minnitee had a previous criminal record, including an arrest for aggravated assault. In the wake of this tragedy, the community has rallied around Pearson's family, with a fundraiser established to support his young daughter.
