Police say 22-year-old was deliberately sought out by gunman in Midtown Atlanta apartment
A 22-year-old Indian-origin student, Akash Banerjee, was fatally shot in the head on May 18 at a student apartment complex near the Georgia Tech campus in Midtown, Atlanta. Police say the act appears to have been deliberate and have identified a suspect from surveillance footage, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Akash Banerjee was shot in the head at The Connector apartments; police say suspect entered the building with intent to target him.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, Banerjee was shot on the ninth floor of The Connector student apartments and later succumbed to his injuries at Grady Hospital. Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity. Authorities believe Banerjee, who reportedly had a criminal history, was specifically sought out by the assailant, although they did not detail the nature of his past charges.
“We’re at a point where we believe this was a targeted act,” said APD Homicide Commander Andrew Smith in a press conference, as reported by Fox5Atlanta. Surveillance footage shows the suspect roaming the hallway roughly 10 minutes before the shooting, with what appears to be a firearm in his pocket. The same individual was reportedly seen at the building before, looking for Banerjee.
Police investigate how the suspect gained entry into a keycard-secured building; possible prior connection being explored.
Investigators are probing how the shooter accessed the secure apartment complex. Smith noted that there was an altercation between Banerjee and the suspect before the fatal shot was fired. A resident who heard the gunshot called 911 but hesitated to open their door, fearing for their safety.
“He was in the hallway well before the victim arrived, which is why we believe the victim was targeted,” said Smith.
Police believe Banerjee and the suspect may have known each other, but the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. The suspect, who remains unnamed, has been labelled a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
In a statement, Georgia Tech expressed condolences: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our students. This loss is felt across our community, and our hearts go out to the student’s family, friends, and loved ones.”