In what has been described as a targeted act, Akash Banerjee, a 22-year-old male student of Indian-origin at Georgia Tech, was fatally shot in the head on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The incident occurred on the ninth floor of The Connector, an off-campus student apartment complex on Spring Street in Midtown Atlanta. Banerjee was discovered unconscious in the hallway by fellow residents who heard a loud noise.
He was transported to Grady Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.
Atlanta Police Department investigators believe the shooting was not a random act of violence, stating that Banerjee was specifically targeted by the shooter. Surveillance footage from the apartment building showed the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nigel Belser, loitering in the hallway for approximately ten minutes before Banerjee's arrival. Police reports indicate that Belser had been to the building previously looking for Banerjee. It is alleged that Belser gained unauthorized access to the building, which requires a key card for entry, by tailgating behind residents.
An altercation reportedly took place between Banerjee and Belser in the ninth-floor hallway, which culminated in the fatal shooting. Following the incident, the Atlanta Police Department released surveillance images of the suspect and asked for the public's assistance in identifying him. Police also noted that Banerjee had a criminal history, which they were exploring as a potential motive for the shooting, though they did not elaborate on the nature of his past offenses.
On Sunday, a week after the shooting, Nigel Belser surrendered to authorities at the Fulton County Jail. He has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. While police believe Banerjee and Belser knew each other, the exact nature of their relationship and the motive for the shooting remain under investigation.
