ATLANTA — Atlanta police have released surveillance footage capturing the brazen robbery of former boxing champion Vernon Forrest, who was fatally shot moments later on Saturday night. Authorities are now searching for at least three, and possibly four, suspects believed to be involved in the robbery and homicide, hoping the video evidence will lead to their identification.
Lt. Keith Meadows of the Atlanta Police Department detailed the sequence of events, pieced together from videos captured by cameras at a gas station, an apartment complex across the street, and a nearby breezeway. The footage reveals a clear image of the suspected armed robber who stole Forrest’s four-time championship ring and Rolex watch, though the individual who shot the Augusta native multiple times in the back less than three minutes later is not clearly visible.
According to Meadows, the gas station video shows the suspect’s car parked at a gas pump before moving behind Forrest’s vehicle, which was stationed at an air pump. The suspect approached Forrest from behind with a handgun and robbed him. In response, Forrest drew a gun from his waistband and chased the robber across a nearby bridge. Security footage then captures the robber, still armed, moving through a breezeway after Forrest lost sight of him.
“Forrest comes around the corner and encounters another individual who we believe has a gun in his hand,” Meadows said. The video does not show the shooting itself, but Meadows, relying on evidence and eyewitness accounts, described how Forrest exchanged words with this second individual, realized he was not the robber, and turned to walk away. “It was at that point the subject shot Mr. Forrest a number of times in the back,” Meadows said. Investigators believe 20 to 24 shots were fired from two guns during the incident.
While the video clips include a blurry view of an encounter in the gas station parking lot and two men running from Forrest’s car, one clip more clearly shows the suspected robber. Meadows noted that the footage is “extremely important” for identifying the suspects, and police are working to produce a sketch of the robbery suspect based on the videos.
The Atlanta Police Department is urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their investigation into the tragic killing of the celebrated boxer.
