Two people were killed and four others were injured in a shooting at a Buckhead nightclub early Sunday, Atlanta police said.
Police said they responded to a call about a person shot at the Elleven45 Lounge at 2110 Peachtree Road NW around 2:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they reportedly found six people shot. Two victims, a man and a woman, died on the scene.
For nearby workers and residents, it feels like a growing problem.
“Bennett Street was just this incredible, artistic, hopping, exciting place,” said Amy Brown Edelstein. “That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore, and that’s unfortunate.”
Early Sunday afternoon, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the deceased victims as 20-year-old Nykris Ridley and 21-year-old Mari Creighton.
Creighton’s family told Atlanta News First that she was with friends celebrating a birthday at the club when she was shot.
Four others – two men and two women – were taken to area hospitals in stable condition and are expected to survive.
Police said based on preliminary information, it appears all the victims were club patrons between 20 and 30 years old.
They said there was a dispute inside the club, leading to a physical altercation that erupted into gunfire.
The area, located in South Buckhead, is surrounded by homes and apartments. Amy Brown Edelstein’s husband, Bruce, owns a dental practice just blocks from where the shooting occurred.
“It just seems like it’s getting worse,” he said. “As time goes on, it’s definitely not getting better. So, something really needs to be done.”
They also live in the area and say that there have been safety concerns.
“I think random crimes are an issue as well as crimes specific to the club,” Bruce said. “I’m not familiar with what happens after hours, but it’s just, it’s not good. It’s not good that there’s a club here and the criminal element is attracted to this area or any area for that matter,” Bruce said.
Police said it appears there was one shooter, and this “was not a random act.”
No arrests have been announced, but police did say part of the investigation would look into how a gun got past club security.
“Club procedures and letting people in with a gun, that’ll be a part of our investigation,” said APD Lt. Andrew Smith. “But right now, we are in the preliminary stages.”
Back in 2020, a Change.org petition was created in an attempt to shut down the lounge. The petition cites crime and safety at and surrounding the club.
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