Police searching for suspect in deadly ‘targeted' shooting of Georgia Tech student
Police said the victim, Akash Banerjee, was arguing with the suspect right before the shooting.
'We're at a point where we believe this is a targeted act,' Commander Andrew Smith with Atlanta Homicide Unit said at a news conference Wednesday. 'On this evening, we had a 23-year-old male who was a Georgia Tech student who was shot on the ninth floor.'
Banerjee died Tuesday after being shot in the head at around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
A video that police released at the news conference shows the man they are now searching for, walking the hallway with a gun.
'We do know that he entered in well before the victim arrived,' Smith said.
Channel 2's Eryn Rogers spoke with Fangting Xu, who was on campus at the time of the shooting, but lives on the same floor as the victim did, and ran into police when she was trying to get back to her apartment.
'He said there was an active crime. I didn't realize it was a shooting,' she said.
Xu said it happened steps away from her door.
TRENDING STORIES:
GBI says teen brothers died of self-inflicted injuries on north GA mountain
Facebook Marketplace car theft ring ends in dozens of charges for 2 women, Gwinnett police say
Severe weather leaves behind multiple reports of damage
Police said there is no threat to students like Xu and she said she's not worried about her safety either.
Rogers spoke with several other students who live in the building. They said they now have 24-hour security and have to show their key card all the time and that wasn't the case before the shooting.
Police are continuing to ask anyone who has information about the shooting to call Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Going Just 1 MPH Under Speed Limit Could Land You in Jail in Louisiana
Going Just 1 MPH Under Speed Limit Could Land You in Jail in Louisiana originally appeared on Autoblog. Louisiana drivers lingering in the left lane now have even less margin for error. A new law that took effect August 1 allows police to ticket anyone driving just 1 mph under the speed limit in the passing lane without a valid reason. First-time offenders face a $150 fine, a second offense within 12 months rises to $250, and a third can bring $350 or up to 30 days in jail. Lawmakers say the aim is to keep traffic flowing and reduce dangerous slowdowns, but critics argue it's an overreach that could criminalize cautious driving. From Ten Miles Under to Just One The previous rule only targeted drivers going at least 10 mph under the limit in the left lane. The revised statute tightens that to a single mile per hour, with exceptions for overtaking or turning left. Senator Jay Luneau, who introduced the bill, said the idea came from frustration during his commute between Baton Rouge and Alexandria. The stricter approach mirrors other recent driving crackdowns nationwide, such as one state's controversial new speeding law that threatens offenders with jail time. A National Patchwork of Speed Policy Louisiana's change comes amid a broader debate on how states should set and enforce speed laws. While some are clamping down on both fast and slow drivers, others are going the opposite direction. Earlier this year, one state raised its speed limits on certain highways — but paired the move with strict penalties for reckless behavior. These contrasting approaches show the lack of a uniform national standard, leaving drivers to navigate a patchwork of rules as they cross state lines. No One's Above the Law Enforcement isn't limited to everyday motorists. In July, Harry Potter star Emma Watson lost her license after accumulating 12 penalty points for speeding in the U.K., highlighting that stricter driving laws — on either side of the Atlantic — can catch even high-profile of Louisiana's law argue that by making left-lane discipline a serious matter, they can reduce road rage, prevent accidents, and make highways safer for everyone. Will It Change Driving Behavior? The law's supporters believe it will unclog traffic and reduce collisions caused by sudden lane changes or tailgating. Critics warn that it could be used to justify unnecessary stops or escalate minor infractions into costly — even criminal — consequences. Whether it proves effective or becomes another flashpoint in the driver–police relationship remains to be seen. For now, the message from Baton Rouge is clear: the left lane is for passing, not for pacing the limit. Going Just 1 MPH Under Speed Limit Could Land You in Jail in Louisiana first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 12, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
3 minutes ago
- CBS News
Hesperia police arrest suspect in 5 armed robberies
The Hesperia Police Department arrested an armed robbery suspect connected to five cases in San Bernardino County. Investigators said 28-year-old Davell Mena has allegedly robbed five businesses throughout San Bernardino County since January. The latest incident happened last Thursday, Aug. 7, when he allegedly robbed a liquor store after asking the clerk for condoms, according to Hesperia police. Detectives said Mena allegedly used a handgun that matched the weapon used in four separate armed robberies that happened in multiple San Bernardino County cities on Jan. 28 and April 3. After identifying Mena as their suspect, detectives served a warrant at his home and found the stolen money, condoms and handgun from the robberies. Investigators released his photo and a picture of his SUV. Detectives described his SUV as a white or gray 2006 Buick Rendezvous. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department jail records showed that investigators arrested Mena on Aug. 7 at 11 p.m. He is ineligible for bail. He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. The Hesperia Police Department asked any potential victims or anyone with information about the robberies to contact Deputy D. Morales at (760) 947-1500 or the Sheriff's Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Anonymous tips can be sent to the We-Tip hotline at 1(800) 782-7463 or at their website
Associated Press
3 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Sonya Massey shooting prompts Illinois law requiring disclosure of police recruits' backgrounds
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois law now requires that prospective police officers approve the release of personal background records in response to last summer's shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, in her home by a sheriff's deputy who had responded to her call for help. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed the legislation, which requires disclosure of everything from job performance reports to nonpublic settlement agreements. It resulted from indiscretions that came to light in the background of Sean Grayson, the ex-sheriff's deputy charged with first-degree murder in the case. Pritzker, surrounded by Massey's family in the state Capitol, said the first-in-the-nation law should serve as an example for other states as he let Massey's 'spirit guide us to action.' 'Our justice system needs to be built on trust,' the Democrat said. 'Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct, and police officers should be able to trust that they are serving alongside responsible and capable individuals.' The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner, a Springfield Democrat and friend of the Masseys, and Chicago Democratic Rep. Kam Buckner, who noted that Thursday marks the 117th anniversary of the three-day Race Riot in Springfield that led to the founding a year later of the NAACP. Who is Sonya Massey? Massey, 36, was a single mother of two teenagers who had a strong religious faith and struggled with mental health issues. In the early morning of July 6, 2024, she called 911 to report a suspected prowler outside her home in the capital city of Springfield, 201 miles (343 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. Grayson and another deputy searched but found no one. Inside Massey's house, confusion over a pot of hot water Massey picked up and her curious response to Grayson — 'I rebuke you in the name of Jesus' — which the deputy said he took to mean she wanted to kill him, prompted him to fire on Massey, hitting her right below the eye. What prompted the legislation? The 31-year-old Grayson was 14 months into his career as a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy when he answered Massey's call. His arrest two weeks later prompted an examination of his record, which showed several trouble spots. In his early 20s, he was convicted of driving under the influence twice within a year, the first of which got him kicked out of the Army. He had four law enforcement jobs — mostly part-time — in six years. One past employer noted that he was sloppy in handling evidence and called him a braggart. Others said he was impulsive. What does the law require? Those seeking policing jobs must sign a waiver allowing past employers to release unredacted background materials, including job performance reports, physical and psychological fitness-for-duty reports, civil and criminal court records, and, even otherwise nonpublic documents such as nondisclosure or separation agreements. 'It isn't punitive to any police officer. The same kind of commonsense legislation needs to be done nationwide,' James Wilburn, Massey's father, said. 'People should not be able to go from department to department and their records not follow them.' The hiring agency may see the contents of documents sealed by court order by getting a judge's approval, and court action is available to compel a former employer to hand over records. 'Several departments need to pick up their game and implement new procedures, but what's listed here (in the law) is what should be minimally done in a background check,' said Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, who helped negotiate the proposal. Would the law have prevented Grayson's hiring? Ironically, no. Most of what was revealed about Grayson after his arrest was known to Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, who was forced to retire early because of the incident. Campbell was aware of Grayson's shortcomings and, as a result, made him repeat the state's 16-week police training course. Even an incident that didn't surface until six weeks after the shooting — a dash-cam video of Grayson, working as a deputy in a nearby county, ignoring an order to halt a high-speed chase and then hitting a deer with his squad car — would not have disqualified him, Campbell said at the time. 'We can't decide who they do or don't hire, but what we can do is put some parameters in place so that the information will be there and the right decision can be made,' Buckner said. What's next? Grayson, who also faces charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in October. Publicity persuaded Judge Ryan Cadagin to move the proceeding from Springfield to Peoria, 73 miles (117 kilometers) to the north. The incident has garnered international news coverage, prompted activists' rallies, and led to a $10 million civil court settlement.
