A man was killed at a homeless encampment in Atlanta in an incident that allegedly involved a city department vehicle, according to authorities and news reports.
The Atlanta Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to a call of an injured man at around 12 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 16 on the 300 block of Old Wheat St. NE. When they arrived at the scene, they found a man in need of medical attention.
The man was “transported to the hospital,” where he was eventually “pronounced deceased,” police said.
The City of Atlanta shared with PEOPLE a statement from Cathryn Vassell, CEO for Partners for HOME, who confirmed the incident happened at a homeless encampment in the area.
She said that while the organization was “unable to provide specific details about the incident,” the encampment was in the process of being closed and outreach had begun several months prior to connect unhoused individuals who lived there with “housing assistance and access to wraparound services.”
“Closing encampments is a dynamic and collaborative process that prioritizes 90 days+ of extensive outreach leading up to the closure to connect unsheltered individuals with housing, resources and support services before any site is cleared,” Vassell added in the statement.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The CEO said that they began outreach to those at the encampment starting in April 2024, and individuals “began transitioning to shelter in June 2024.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement shared with PEOPLE: “I am saddened by this terrible incident and extend my thoughts and prayers to the family of the deceased.”
“I care deeply about each and every life in this city,” he continued. “We will review each of our processes and procedures and take every precaution to ensure this never happens again and while we continue our important work to house our unsheltered population and bring our neighbors inside.”
Witnesses told WXIA-TV that the incident involved a bulldozer from Atlanta’s Department of Public Works (DPW).
The department told WXIA-TV in a statement: “Our department routinely clears encampments that pose health and public safety concerns, always following days of outreach to connect unsheltered individuals with housing and support services. DPW is fully cooperating with the Atlanta Police Department’s ongoing investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
A news release from the Housing Justice League obtained by the news outlet identified the man who died as Cornelius Taylor. The organization said in a separate post on X that a vigil was scheduled for Taylor, “who was accidentally and tragically killed yesterday in a street sweep.”
“Our thoughts are with the family and we share in the mourning,” the Housing Justice League said, per WXIA-TV. “This incident highlights the fact that we need to move towards a housing-first approach to the unhoused crisis the city is facing.”
Read the full article here
