Channel 2 Action News has obtained exclusive footage of an off-duty Atlanta police officer who fatally shot a man during a birthday party earlier this week.
The incident occurred on Monday outside a bar on Old National Highway. Devon Anderson was at the party, celebrating a friend who is a South Fulton police officer, when an argument erupted. Anderson tried to calm things down, but police say Melvin Potter shot him.
Channel 2’s Ashli Lincoln spoke with Anderson’s family, who are holding a vigil outside the bar on Friday night. They want to know why Potter hasn’t been charged with homicide.
“I need justice for my son to move forward,” said Anderson’s mother, Valerie Lans. “Why isn’t the man who killed him in jail?”
The family is frustrated with the lack of information about the investigation.
“Don’t tell me you’re still collecting information when most of the people at the party were officers,” said his sister, Chemise Anderson. “We’ve lost everything.”
The GBI said Potter argued with a group while escorting the South Fulton officer to her car. A witness told Channel 2 that Anderson was trying to defuse the situation when Potter shot him.
Anderson’s family shared surveillance footage showing the rapid gunfire. South Fulton officers working security ran towards the gunfire while civilians ducked for cover.
“For a party hosted by police, it’s shocking it got so out of control,” Chemise Anderson said.
Anderson’s sister added that it’s heartbreaking her brother was killed by a police officer, as he was a musician who created songs against police brutality.
“It’s tragic that he became a victim of the very thing he sang about,” she said.
Potter was arrested and taken to Fulton County Jail, but only charged with misdemeanor obstruction for refusing a blood alcohol test. He was released after posting bail.
The GBI is still investigating, and anyone with information is asked to contact their office in South Fulton.