Local
Second arrest made in Vine City shooting that killed former Georgia State player
Atlanta police arrested 19-year-old Chance Blue in connection with an August shooting at a Vine City apartment complex that left former Georgia State football player Demazio Skelton Jr. dead and three others injured. A first suspect, Naim Smith, was arrested the day of the shooting.
A second 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with an August shooting at an apartment complex in Atlanta’s Vine City neighborhood that killed former Georgia State University football player Demazio Skelton Jr. and injured three other people, police said Friday, Oct. 9.
Chance Blue was charged with one count of murder, two counts of armed robbery and three counts of aggravated assault, according to Atlanta police. The charges follow the arrest of Naim Smith, who was taken into custody on the day of the shooting and faces one count of murder, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of armed robbery.
Officers were called to the Flats on Maple Street, at 55 Maple St. NW, during the afternoon of Aug. 4. Skelton, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were taken to a hospital in stable condition, and officers later learned a fourth person had gone to Grady Memorial Hospital in a private vehicle.
Smith’s arrest warrants allege that he and three other men kicked in an apartment door and attempted to rob the people inside. A struggle followed, and gunfire broke out, according to the warrants. Police said officers found suspected marijuana and mushrooms packaged for sale in the apartment.
Skelton was known as a standout athlete during his time at Georgia State. Police have not provided further details about Blue’s alleged role or the status of the other two men identified in the warrants as being involved.