Atlanta security officer gunned down at apartment complex
Atlanta GA October 2 2020 – A late-night shooting leaves an apartment security officer dead. Now, his company is offering a reward for the capture and indictment of the shooter.
The shots rang out around 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Amani Place complex in the 1500 block of Hardee Street in Atlanta’s Edgewood neighborhood.
When police arrived, they found that the security officer had been shot at least once.
Family and friends confirm that the victim was Joseph Benjamin.
Benjamin died at the scene.
Police said the security officer worked at the complex and was getting ready to leave after finishing his shift when he was killed.
Benjamin worked for Georgia Security Officers which is contracted to patrol the community and has been employed part-time with the company since 2016.
The company owner said Benjamin had been in the community for about a year.
Those who knew him said he was a stunt double for several films.
Family members describe him as kind and gentle.
Those who live in the area say gunshots are becoming an everyday norm.
“This last week three other people were shot,” one resident said.
“There have been other incidences over here where you hear the gunshots. I was with my godchildren the other day and we heard the gunshots and all of us took off running and this was three or four days ago,” another resident said.
Investigators don’t have a motive for the killing.
Witnesses reported hearing the gunfire but no car speeding away from the area. Police believe that the gunman might have been on foot.
“It was kind of shocking because most of the security officers out here are friendly people,” one resident said.
Some people who live in the community have left stuffed animals and candles at the spot Benjamin died.
The complex does have security cameras. Detectives plan to get access to that footage, hoping it will help them ID the shooter.
Atlanta police are offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest.
The owner of Georgia Security Officers also said he is offering a reward.
