A tragic shooting at a gathering in a Georgia home has left two best friends dead, shattering the lives of their loved ones. DeKalb County Police confirmed that 23-year-old Leviticus Burns died at the scene. His best friend, a 21-year-old whose name has not yet been released, was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries.
The shooting occurred at a rental property on Brandenberry Drive in Panthersville, reportedly an Airbnb-type home. Around 2 a.m. Saturday night, the property owner received a concerning call from someone at the gathering who said they felt unsafe.
Neighbors soon heard gunshots and alerted the property owner, who reportedly saw multiple cars fleeing the scene. The senseless violence has devastated Burns’ family, particularly his mother, Denise Greene, who is now left mourning her son, told FOX 5 Atlanta.
Speaking to Channel 2, Greene revealed that Burns had recently celebrated his 23rd birthday and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his child in January. Adding to the heartbreak, Greene said the family initially received misinformation about her son’s death.
She explained that someone drove to her father’s home and falsely claimed that Burns had been in a car accident. “I didn’t know what happened until later,” Greene said, sharing the painful moment she learned the truth: her son had been shot and killed.
Greene recounted her last conversation with Burns, which took place just one day before the tragedy. Her son had mentioned plans to work on a music video later that night. Their final words to each other were filled with love.
“Some of the last words we said were ‘I love you,’” Greene recalled. “What it’s like to get that call, it’s a call you never want to get about your child, so it’s hard to explain.” Despite her anguish, Greene expressed her belief that justice would be served.
“Me, as a firm believer, justice is going to be served. It’s going to come to the light. Whatever you do in the dark,” she said. DeKalb County Police continue to investigate the shooting. No suspects have been named, and authorities have not confirmed if there are any leads.
For now, the community mourns two young lives lost too soon, as a mother prepares to welcome a grandchild who will never meet their father.