A peaceful summer evening turned tragic when a shooting broke out during a fraternity picnic hosted by members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Atlanta’s Coan Park on Saturday, June 28. One man, described as a beloved mentor within the fraternity, was killed. Another man and the suspected gunman were critically injured.
The picnic was an officially permitted event organized by a local chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, one of the Divine Nine organizations with deep roots across HBCU campuses. The fraternity, known for its strong commitment to community, mentorship, and service, was gathered for a day of fellowship when gunfire shattered the evening.
According to WSB-TV, Atlanta police responded to reports of a shooting just after 8 p.m. at the park, located in the Kirkwood neighborhood of southeast Atlanta. Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second, along with the suspected shooter, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Witnesses told authorities that the gunman—who was not part of the picnic—approached the group wearing a ski mask and began to instigate a confrontation. As members of the fraternity attempted to de-escalate the situation, the man opened fire. In response, several Kappa Alpha Psi members who were legally armed returned fire, ultimately striking the suspect…