In the winter of 2023, the life of 19-year-old Aden Stone was tragically cut short in a fatal shooting in Sandy Springs, a city in the metro Atlanta area. On the afternoon of December 9th, police responded to a call at the Waters Edge Apartments on Roberts Drive, where they found Stone with a single gunshot wound to his chest. Despite the efforts of bystanders who attempted to provide life-saving aid, he succumbed to his injury at the scene.
The incident was quickly ruled a homicide, prompting an intensive investigation into the events that led to the young man's death.
Witnesses at the apartment complex reported seeing a man and two women fleeing the scene in a white Chevrolet Equinox shortly after the gunshot was heard. This crucial piece of information allowed law enforcement to act swiftly. An officer soon spotted a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop on the entrance ramp to Georgia State Route 400 from Northridge Road. Inside the vehicle were three individuals: 28-year-old Devontay Trimell Coleman, 21-year-old Mackieda Malu Tugba, and another woman. Officers observed what appeared to be blood on the hands of all three occupants, and Coleman also had blood on his clothing.
Following the traffic stop, all three individuals were taken into custody for questioning. During the subsequent investigation, Devontay Trimell Coleman was identified as the primary suspect in Aden Stone's death. He was charged with a string of serious offenses, including felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Initially, Coleman provided a false name and date of birth to the police, later admitting he did so due to an outstanding warrant for a traffic violation. Mackieda Malu Tugba was also arrested and is facing a murder charge in connection with the shooting. The third individual in the vehicle was later released without charges.
Further investigation revealed that Coleman and Tugba had picked up the third woman from the airport earlier that day. Coleman, who was driving, made a detour to the Waters Edge Apartments for reasons that remain under investigation. An altercation is believed to have occurred between Coleman and Stone, which tragically escalated to the fatal shooting. Following the incident, Tugba allegedly switched places with Coleman to drive the vehicle away from the scene. Authorities later recovered a firearm from the vehicle. In addition to the charges related to the homicide, Coleman also faces drug charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and the sale or distribution of marijuana.
