Key points:
• BPD held a community gathering at Cherokee Place after two shootings occurred there in the past three weeks.
• Shoppers say they feel safe, despite the incidents.
• Patrols have been increased in the area.
Brookhaven Police Department officials, saying that they hear the concerns of its citizens following two shootings at the Peachtree Road Kroger in the past three weeks, held a gathering at the same shopping center on April 17.
Two shootings at the center occurred, one on March 22, followed by another incident on April 13. Police made arrests shortly afterwards. Vesselin G. Tzvetkov, 79, was arrested on April 1 in connection with the shooting of a 75-year-old on March 22.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, of Atlanta, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the shooting on April 13. He is also accused of killing two other people in random attacks during the same week, according to WSB-TV.
We hear your concerns, and we want you to know we are here,” BPD wrote on a social media post. “Brookhaven Police is committed to keeping our community safe and to building the partnerships with residents and businesses that make that possible. And it starts with showing up.”
While several people commented on the irony of having a gathering in the same location as the shootings, officers said the partnership that has formed between the department and the property management company is strong and the location made sense for the event.
“We want to connect with the community, and we want the community to feel safe,” Sgt. Carlai Moore said during the event. “While enforcement is important, non-enforcement is also very important. Developing relationships is everything.”
Helen Panos, a Brookhaven resident who attended the event, said she feels safe shopping at the Kroger and complimented the police on the swift apprehension of the alleged shooters.
“They are terrific,” Panos said of the department. “They arrested someone in the second case before I even knew it had happened. “
Panos said her husband shopped at the store the next day after the second shooting.
“I feel it’s a safe place,” she said.
Community Engagement Officer G. Dunn said she believes the two shootings are isolated incidents, but that the department has increased patrols in the area for the foreseeable future.
“Normally, we handle shoplifting calls for the most part at this center,” Dunn said. “These incidents are out of the norm, and this is a safe place to shop.”
