Family Dispute Turns Deadly in Buckhead: Father Allegedly Shoots Son Multiple Times
Atlanta, Georgia — A quiet Sunday in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood was shattered by gunfire and grief when a domestic argument between a father and son ended in tragedy. According to the Atlanta Police Department, 54-year-old Durante Tolliver allegedly shot his 32-year-old son, Durante Schofield, multiple times during a heated dispute outside an apartment complex on Pharr Road.
Police responded to reports of a shooting around 7:45 p.m. outside the complex near the 300 block of Pharr Road. When officers arrived, they found Schofield lying on the pavement with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him.
Authorities say early evidence indicates that the violence erupted following a domestic argument between the two men, escalating rapidly before shots were fired. Witnesses reported hearing shouting followed by several gunshots, then seeing a man matching Tolliver’s description flee toward the parking lot.
Within an hour, officers located Tolliver nearby. He was detained without incident and later charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and aggravated assault. The gun believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered at the scene.
Detectives believe the altercation may have stemmed from ongoing family tensions, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Neighbors described the pair as having a strained relationship. “They argued often, but no one thought it would end like this,” one resident said. “It’s heartbreaking to know a disagreement between family could turn into something so final.”
Durante Schofield, the victim, was remembered by friends as a kind and ambitious young man who worked in logistics and often spoke about his plans to move into management. He was known for his friendly demeanor and deep affection for his family, particularly his mother and younger siblings.
“This is the kind of tragedy that shakes a community,” said Lt. Michael Harris of the Atlanta Police Department. “When a father and son’s argument ends in one losing his life and the other facing prison, it’s a reminder of how quickly anger can destroy everything.”
The complex on Pharr Road, typically known for its calm atmosphere and proximity to Buckhead Village, remained taped off for hours as detectives processed the scene. Officers collected shell casings, photographed the vehicle parked nearby, and interviewed several witnesses. Security cameras from surrounding buildings are being reviewed to piece together the timeline leading up to the shooting.
Family members of both men were devastated by the news. Relatives of Schofield gathered outside the police perimeter, some weeping as officers tried to console them. “He didn’t deserve this,” one family member said. “They were supposed to love each other — not end this way.”
Police have confirmed that Tolliver is being held at the Fulton County Jail without bond pending a court hearing. Investigators have not yet released details about his mental state at the time of the incident, but domestic violence counselors say the case underscores the danger of unresolved conflict within families.
The Atlanta Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate. Anyone with additional information or footage from the area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta.
For now, the Buckhead community mourns another senseless act of family violence — a father accused of taking the life of his own son, leaving behind only sorrow, unanswered questions, and a painful reminder of how fragile family bonds can be when anger turns to tragedy.