Atlanta, GA – A Georgia father has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his 32-year-old son 12 times during an argument that began over a slammed car door and a dispute involving the son’s girlfriend. The shocking incident unfolded outside an apartment complex in Buckhead, Fulton County, and has left family members and neighbors stunned.
The Incident: Argument Turns Deadly in Apartment Parking Lot
According to Atlanta police, the suspect, Durante Tolliver, 54, fatally shot his son, Durante Schofield, following a heated confrontation in the early hours of Thursday morning. Investigators say the shooting occurred shortly after Schofield crashed his SUV into a building and returned home with his girlfriend.
Police reports indicate that Schofield’s girlfriend had called for help after the crash and contacted Tolliver to come calm his son down. When Tolliver arrived at the apartment, officers were already speaking with the girlfriend. At that point, Tolliver and Schofield appeared calm and left the apartment together to head toward Tolliver’s vehicle.
However, once in the parking lot, the argument escalated rapidly. According to investigators, Schofield slammed the car door, which triggered another confrontation between father and son. It was then that Tolliver allegedly opened fire, hitting Schofield a total of 12 times.
“I heard pop, pop, pop, pop. But I did not want to go see,” one neighbor recalled. “I did not get up out of bed. I did not go outside; I did not come out. I did not go anywhere.”
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Authorities responding to the shooting found Schofield unarmed despite Tolliver’s claim that his son had reached toward his waistband as if pulling a weapon. A search confirmed that Schofield had no firearms or weapons on him at the time of the incident.
The scene outside the apartment complex was described as chaotic, with multiple police units arriving just minutes after the gunfire. Detectives recovered shell casings matching Tolliver’s registered handgun.
Atlanta Police crime data reviewed by local outlets revealed that officers had responded to at least 17 prior calls to the same residence in the past, suggesting a history of domestic disturbances between Schofield and others at the address.
Court Proceedings and Charges Filed
Durante Tolliver was arrested on-site and has since been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He appeared in Fulton County Court last week and was denied bond during his initial hearing.
Investigators said Tolliver admitted to shooting his son but claimed self-defense, telling officers that he believed Schofield was about to draw a gun. Police have since refuted this claim after confirming no weapon was found on the victim.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office is preparing to present the case to a grand jury. If convicted, Tolliver could face life in prison without parole.
Family’s Reaction to the Tragedy
Schofield’s sister, Dee Clyburn, expressed grief and disbelief over the killing, saying the tragedy has torn their family apart.
“I wouldn’t have ever imagined, not in a hundred years would I have thought that this was the phone call I was getting,” Clyburn told WSB-TV. “That’s my big brother, and I will never be able to call him again.”
She described Schofield as a devoted father of two children who was trying to rebuild his life.
“He was the proud father of two kids,” Clyburn said, holding back tears.
Neighbors said they had often heard arguments coming from the apartment before and believed police had been called there on several occasions. Some residents said they recognized Tolliver and were shocked to learn that the argument had turned deadly.
Background and Community Response
The Buckhead neighborhood, known for its quiet residential setting, has recently seen a rise in domestic violence calls, according to local law enforcement data. Experts say this case underscores the danger of heated family conflicts escalating into fatal violence, particularly when firearms are involved.
Local community leaders have urged residents to seek mediation or counseling resources for domestic disputes rather than resorting to violence.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Tolliver remains in custody at the Fulton County Jail, and prosecutors have stated that the case will likely proceed to trial early next year. The Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate, including reviewing surveillance footage from the apartment complex and interviewing witnesses.
Schofield’s family is reportedly planning a memorial service in his honor as they call for justice in the case.
“We just want answers,” Clyburn said. “He didn’t deserve to die like that — not by his father’s hands.”
Conclusion
The killing of Durante Schofield by his father has left a family shattered and a community reeling. As prosecutors move forward with the murder case, the tragedy stands as a reminder of how domestic disputes can turn deadly in an instant, leaving irreversible consequences behind.
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