The Atlanta Police Department has arrested the second of two shooters responsible for exchanging gunfire during a back-to-school  block party on Aug. 20 that led to the wounding of four Atlanta University Center students. The second shooter was out on a signature bond from the Fulton County jail for another shooting incident in March in which he used an assault rifle to shoot up an apartment complex at 455 Fulton St. on two consecutive days. Ahmad Coleman, 25, was taken into custody in Mississippi on Oct. 10 with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service after Atlanta Police investigators secured warrants for his arrest. Coleman is awaiting an extradition hearing to determine when he will be transported back to Atlanta. He has been charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and reckless conduct. The first shooter, Isaiah Williams, 21, was arrested on Sept. 4.
The Municipal Court of Atlanta has created the Homeless Court Program, a focused expansion on the court’s In-Custody and Community Court Divisions. The program will be run daily through a collaboration of court divisions including Restore Atlanta. Similar to homeless courts operating in other parts of the country, the Municipal Court of Atlanta’s Homeless Court Program is based on the American Bar Association’s seven guiding principles for Homeless Courts, which include a combination of prescribed treatment, judicial monitoring, coordinated services, as well as enhanced communication among the various stakeholders. “We recognize that being mired in the criminal justice system is an obstacle to reclaiming your life and living lawfully,” said Chief Judge Portis. “We aim to see homeless individuals who are actively engaged in the court program return to the community, after treatment, as valued members.” In addition to aiding the homeless, the new court program will provide a range of support services to address commonly associated challenges such as mental illness and drug abuse. For more information, visit court.atlantaga.gov.
Southface Institute has received an additional grant from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s Care and Conserve Plumbing and Repair Program (CCPRP), allowing the sustainability nonprofit to continue providing plumbing repairs to low- and moderate-income city residents over the next 18 months. CCPRP helps with residents’ plumbing problems and installs water-efficiency devices to lower bills and conserve water. The $950,000 grant comes from water and sewer revenue and is managed by the City’s Department of Watershed Management, who also awarded $1.2 million to Nehemiah Project Community Development for similar work.