In the early morning hours of September 16, 2023, 23-year-old Nicholas Carter, a young man described by his mother as a 'mama's boy' and a 'big teddy bear,' was fatally shot outside a music studio in southwest Atlanta. He had left his home on September 15th to spend time with friends at the studio located on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. Shortly before 2 a.m., as he arrived at the Railyard Suites complex, the night took a tragic turn.
According to his mother, who was told by a
detective, there was no altercation or exchange of words before the shooting. A man reportedly got out of a car and began firing, striking Nicholas. Carter was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. His family was left heartbroken and searching for answers, with his mother expressing that her son was unarmed and a complete victim in the attack. His parents, Angela Verden and Scott Carter, remember him as a silly and laughter-loving individual who, despite his intimidating size, was gentle at heart. He had recently become involved in the local music scene, which was a source of some concern for his mother.
The investigation into Nicholas Carter's death is ongoing, and as of early 2025, no arrests have been made, a fact that has caused his family immense frustration. The Atlanta Police Department has identified a suspect in the case, Miquae Deqontist Williams, also referred to as McQuay Williams. A year after the shooting, Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta released a photo of Williams, seeking the public's help in locating him. Williams is described as being six feet tall, weighing between 180 and 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Nicholas's parents have voiced their pain and their feeling that the case has not received the attention it deserves, fearing their son is becoming 'just another number.' They have actively worked to keep his story in the public eye, speaking out about the lack of progress and the need for justice. His mother has even reached out to the mayor and city council to advocate for more resources for families who are navigating the grief of losing a loved one to violence while waiting for the legal process to unfold. The family continues to hope for an arrest, holding onto the memory of their son while they await a resolution in his case.
