In the fall of 2014, a tragic event unfolded in East Atlanta that claimed the life of 37-year-old Derrick McGinty. On the evening of October 15, McGinty and 30-year-old Michael Edwards were fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex located at 1800 Memorial Drive. A third man, John Kinlow, was also wounded in the incident, sustaining a gunshot to his leg.
The shooting, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m., is believed to have stemmed from some kind of argument, though the
exact nature of the dispute remains unclear. Witnesses reported seeing at least two shooters flee the scene in a red vehicle. In the immediate aftermath, Atlanta Police canvassed the neighborhood, going door-to-door in search of any information that could lead to the perpetrators.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the case grew cold. Over a month after the killings, the mothers of both McGinty and Edwards pleaded for the public's help, expressing their profound grief and the need for closure. Catherine Collins, McGinty's mother, shared the immense pain of losing her son, who was a father to six children. Veronica Edwards, Michael's mother, spoke of the void his death left, particularly with the holidays approaching.
In an attempt to generate new leads, the double homicide was featured on the A&E television series 'The First 48' in July 2016. The families hoped that the national exposure would encourage someone with information to come forward. Crime Stoppers Atlanta also offered a $5,000 reward for any information that would lead to an arrest in the case. However, to date, the murders of Derrick McGinty and Michael Edwards remain unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with their deaths.
