ATLANTA, GA – May 29, 2025 — A deadly confrontation between two 16-year-olds has left one teenager dead and another wounded in what authorities are calling a tragic and alarming act of gun violence in southwest Atlanta. The shooting, which occurred Wednesday evening at a residential area on the 1100 block of Oakland Drive SW, has reignited concerns over youth violence and potential gang activity in the community.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene around 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, following reports of shots fired. When law enforcement arrived, they found two teenagers suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services pronounced one of the teens dead at the scene, while the other was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The deceased has been identified as Gabriel Seats, 16, by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. The surviving teen—whose name has not been released due to his age—was described as alert, conscious, and breathing at the time of his transport.
Lt. Andrew Smith, commander of the Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit, said early evidence points to a mutual shootout between the two teens.
“The assailant shot the surviving 16-year-old, who returned fire, striking and killing him,” Lt. Smith stated during a press briefing Thursday morning.
Investigators have recovered firearms from the scene and are working to determine the origin of the weapons and whether either of the teenagers had prior criminal records. The possibility of charges being filed against the surviving teen remains under review by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
While the exact motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, Lt. Smith acknowledged the potential for gang-related activity.
“At this point, we’re not sure if this is gang-related. We do have gang investigators on scene,” he said.
The neighborhood where the shooting took place has seen previous instances of violence involving young people, and the Atlanta Police Department has recently increased its gang enforcement efforts in several southwest neighborhoods. Detectives are currently interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses in an effort to piece together the timeline of events.
The death of Gabriel Seats has left residents in mourning and community leaders calling for action. Gabriel was a student at a local high school, described by peers as quiet but friendly. Friends and family have begun placing candles, flowers, and handwritten notes near the location of the shooting in a growing memorial.
“I can’t believe this happened,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous. “These are kids. Kids with futures. This cycle of violence has to stop.”
Local organizations, including the Atlanta Youth Empowerment Coalition, have renewed calls for more community-based intervention programs to help prevent at-risk teens from becoming involved in gun violence and gangs.
The Atlanta Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward, stressing that cooperation from the public is crucial in resolving the case and addressing the broader issue of youth violence.
“We understand the community is hurting, and we need your help,” Lt. Smith said. “If you know something, say something. It could save a life.”