Atlanta Police Arrested Suspect in Fatal Shooting
Chance Blue was taken into custody for a quadruple shooting that occurred at an apartment in Vine City.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Violence
Atlanta police arrested 19-year-old Chance Blue in connection with a quadruple shooting that left one person dead. The incident occurred following an attempted robbery at an apartment located at 55 Maple St. NW.
Why it matters
The arrest marks a major development in the investigation into the violent home invasion that killed 35-year-old Demazio Skelton Jr. and injured three others. Authorities are continuing to process the scene where weapons and illicit substances were discovered.
Chance Blue faces charges of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and three counts of armed robbery. Naim Smith was previously arrested on the day of the August shooting.
The players
Chance Blue
He is a 19-year-old suspect charged with murder and multiple counts of assault and robbery in connection to the August shooting.
Demazio Skelton Jr.
He was a 35-year-old man who died at the scene following the shooting at the apartment complex.
Naim Smith
He is a 19-year-old suspect who was taken into custody by authorities on the day the shooting took place.
The details
Four men allegedly kicked in the door of an apartment to rob the occupants, sparking a struggle that resulted in gunfire. Responding officers later recovered packages of suspected marijuana and mushrooms from inside the residence.
Timeline
August 4, 2026: The quadruple shooting occurred at an apartment complex.
October 9, 2026: Atlanta police arrested Chance Blue.
Legal Context
This case reflects broader trends in local violent crime involving home invasions and armed robberies in residential areas. Authorities are monitoring these patterns as they seek to address the rise in incidents occurring within private apartment complexes.
Residents in the Vine City neighborhood may see an increased police presence as the investigation into the apartment incident continues. Authorities have utilized the area around 55 Maple St. NW for evidence collection and forensics processing.
The takeaway
The tragic outcome of this attempted robbery serves as a stark reminder of the volatility inherent in home invasions. Police continue to investigate the scene to gather further evidence regarding the involvement of all four suspects.
Further reading
For more information on local investigations, visit the Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Atlantanewsfirst.
