In the late hours of a Wednesday evening in downtown Alpharetta, a verbal dispute tragically escalated, ending the life of 46-year-old Justin Mourning. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on September 11, 2024, near the intersection of Milton Avenue and Main Street. Mourning, a beloved husband and father, had gotten into an argument with a man on a motorcycle, reportedly concerning the way the motorcyclist was driving through the area. The two men did not know each other.
Following the argument, the motorcyclist opened fire, striking Mourning multiple times. Emergency services responded to a call of shots fired and found Mourning with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following morning. The event sent shockwaves through the typically quiet community, marking the first homicide in Alpharetta for the year. Mourning, who had moved to the area from Colorado with his family in 2015, was remembered as a dedicated community member, involved in the TAG Cloud Society and Northpoint Community Church. He was an employee of Lumen Technologies for nearly two decades.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly. Alpharetta police released images of the suspect on a motorcycle that were captured by a witness's dash camera. Less than 24 hours after the fatal shooting, authorities arrested 21-year-old Jaden Lewis of Milton. Lewis was taken into custody on the afternoon of September 12, 2024, and subsequently charged with murder and aggravated assault in connection with Justin Mourning's death. He waived his first court appearance the following day.
