🌱 Black Hammer Party Investigation + Missing Person Found Dead

Hey, Atlanta! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Daily. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick review of the most important things going on around town.

First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 78 Low: 69.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Daquan Reed has been found guilty of shooting 7-year-old Kennedy Maxie in 2020. A Fulton County jury found Reed guilty on Thursday of the killing that took place the week of Christmas. Reed apparently was robbed and fired his gun in a 'senseless act of rage' which took Maxie's life. (CBS 46 News)
2. Federal and local authorities are investigating the Black Hammer Party, which moved its headquarters to Fayetteville – just south of Atlanta. The Black separatist group may be connected to drug and gun offenses, human trafficking, and even kidnapping. Two members of the group have already been charged with sexual assault and kidnapping in July. (WSB Atlanta)
3. Atlanta police have reported that a woman who was reported missing on Tuesday has been found dead. The Buckhead resident was found in her vehicle and rushed to the hospital, where her death was considered consistent with that of a suicide. The investigation is ongoing. (WSB Atlanta)
4. Grammy-nominated group Nappy Roots' brewery, Atlantucky Brewery, is involved in an investigation after the group member known as Fish Scales was kidnapped. The group member – Melvin Adams – was shot and robbed before 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening. His gunshot wound is expected to be non-life-threatening. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
5. Recent statistics have reported that the rate of murder in Georgia is currently higher than the national average. The 2020 statistics show murders in the state have increased by 71.8%, putting Georgia at the 15th largest increase in the state. Reportedly, 8.8 murders occur for every 100,000 people. (24/7 Wall St. - Atlanta)

Today in Atlanta:

• Summer Shade Pale Ale Release Party At Eventide Brewing (4:00 PM)
• 7th Annual Jazz Matters at The Wren's Nest (7:30 PM)
• Drag Bingo! At UrbanTree Cidery (8:00 PM)
• The Upside Down Experience At Moondogs (9:00 PM)
• Clueless Trivia Night At Elsewhere Brewing Co. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for plans this weekend? Check out local festivals in the Atlanta area at the link. (Atlanta Magazine)
• Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Atlanta area. Available properties range from a 1,024 sq. ft., 3-bed, 1-bath home for $195,000 to an almost $1.8 million home with 5 beds, 6 baths, and 4,250 sq. ft. Get all the details at the link. (Atlanta Patch)
• Shout out to the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Department of Transportation for quickly removing graffiti from the city's rainbow crosswalk! (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)

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Events:

• Salsa ATL's Viernes Tropical Latin Night Fri Aug 19, 2022 (August 19)
• Community Scavenger Hunt on the Marietta Square (August 20)
• Introductory class in Qigong stretching and breathing (August 20)
• Salsa Atlanta Latin Night - Salsa, Bachata & more @ Tonys Johns Creek Aug 20th (August 20)
• Flamenco Tablao (August 21)
• Wednesday Wind Down In the Point (August 24)
• PRIDE Kickball Fall League - Registration Deadline Aug 30th (August 30)
• Free Zoom meeting about roof replacement near Atlanta, GA (August 31)
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Housing:

• Rent To Own Homes for Travel Nurses, P.A.s and Medical Professionals (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.