This story has been updated. 

The Decatur Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a “person of interest” in a murder investigation.

The murder occurred on May 8 at Trinity Walk Apartments in Decatur.

According to Police Lt. Jennifer Ross, “On Wed., May 8, 2019 at approximately 4:25 p.m., Decatur Police responded to a call for a welfare check of 31-year-old Keonte Rapheal Metts, a resident at 421 West Trinity Place. Officers arrived and located Mr. Metts, deceased inside of his residence, from some type of trauma. There was no evidence of forced entry into the home. This case is being investigated as an apparent homicide by members of our Criminal Investigations Division, with the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. We are attempting to identify a person of interest, seen in these photos, who was the last person seen in the company of Mr. Metts the evening of May 7, 2019. If you recognize this person or have any information about this incident, please contact Inv. Edwards at [email protected] or 678/553-6664 or contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404 577-Tips (8477) and remain anonymous.”

Photo provided by the Decatur Police Department.

Trinity Walk is owned by the Decatur Housing Authority. In an email shared with Decaturish, Faust said the person of interest is not a resident of Trinity Walk or any other DHA properties.

Here is Faust’s full statement:

Dear Friends of Affordable/Workforce Housing and Diversity in Decatur,

We want to thank you for your expressions of support and condolences for the loss of life in one of our homes.  We appreciate that Decatur is a wonderful city filled with caring and compassionate folks.   Thank you so much.

The Decatur Housing Authority (DHA) has been fully cooperating with the authorities as they investigate this tragic event in our peaceful community.  Our understanding is that on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at approximately 4:25 pm, Decatur Police responded to a call for a welfare check of one of our residents, Mr. Keonte Rapheal Metts, a 31 year-old man.  He was found to be deceased and the police are investigating this as a homicide.   The police are seeking a person of interest in this crime who is not a resident of any of DHA properties.  Pictures are provided above as well as the notice that we are circulating to our DHA residents.

All of us at Decatur Housing Authority are deeply saddened by what has happened.  We are keeping the Metts family and friends in our prayers.  “Our first priority is always the safety and well-being of our residents and employees.” stated Doug Faust, Executive Director.  “We hope to learn more information about this sad event and how we can help to avoid such unnecessary violence in the future.”

We appreciate your continued support of our residents and DHA.  We were greatly saddened at the crime perpetrated by an unknown assailant upon our resident, Mr. Metts, and the larger community of families, children, and seniors who live in this normally quiet neighborhood in downtown Decatur.  We sincerely regret this loss of life, and our thoughts go out to the family and community who had to experience this terrible shock and trauma.  It is our hope that families in our great diverse community of Decatur will draw together in support of each other in this time of sadness and loss.

Thanks,

Doug Faust

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