Suspect Arrested in Deadly Shooting Near South Atlanta Convenience Store

19-year-old Najai Swain charged with murder after argument escalated outside 24 Hour Food Mart.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:52pm

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An extreme close-up of a spent bullet casing on a dark concrete surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the aftermath of a shooting incident.A recent wave of gun violence near local businesses in Atlanta underscores the need for community-based solutions to improve public safety.Atlanta Today

Police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect, Najai Swain, in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred last month near a convenience store in south Atlanta. The incident began with an argument between Swain, the victim Kamari Walker, and two other men outside the 24 Hour Food Mart on Cleveland Avenue SW, according to arrest warrants.

Why it matters

Gun violence and deadly altercations near local businesses are an ongoing concern for many Atlanta neighborhoods, with the city seeing a rise in homicides in recent years. This incident highlights the need for improved public safety measures and conflict resolution in high-crime areas.

The details

According to police, officers responded around 7:20 p.m. on March 19 to a report of a person shot outside the 24 Hour Food Mart. They found Kamari Walker lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Arrest warrants state that Swain was the first person on video to show he had a gun, and 'likely' shot it at the feet of the other two men involved in the argument, at which point one of them shot Walker in an act of self-defense.

  • The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. on March 19, 2026.
  • Najai Swain was taken into custody on April 2, 2026.

The players

Najai Swain

A 19-year-old Atlanta resident who has been charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the shooting.

Kamari Walker

The 24-year-old victim who was shot and killed outside the 24 Hour Food Mart convenience store.

24 Hour Food Mart

The convenience store located on Cleveland Avenue SW in south Atlanta where the shooting took place.

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What’s next

Swain is being held in the Fulton County Jail and is awaiting trial on the charges related to the shooting.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for improved public safety measures, conflict resolution programs, and community-based solutions to address the rise in gun violence and deadly altercations in certain Atlanta neighborhoods.