The man accused of fatally shooting a Georgia Tech student inside an off-campus apartment complex allegedly entered the building without authorization and waited more than an hour before carrying out the attack, according to newly released arrest documents.
Nigel Belser, 21, is being held in Fulton County Jail on multiple charges, including murder, in connection with the May 18 killing of Akash Banerjee, 22, a Georgia Tech student. Authorities say the fatal shooting occurred at The Connector Apartments, located on Spring Street in Midtown Atlanta.
More: Woman Slammed Boy’s Head Mid-Flight for Calling Her ‘Fat’ and ‘Miss Piggy’ Arrested for Child Abuse
More: Burke County Woman Allegedly Linked to Boyfriend’s Death in Involuntary Manslaughter Case
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Channel 2 Action News reporter Michael Seiden, Belser entered the building through the parking garage around 4 p.m., carrying a light blue Gatorade bottle. The building, which requires a key fob for entry, was accessed by Belser after he allegedly “tailgated” behind two residents.
“The building is keyfob access, but the suspect tailgates behind two of the residents to get inside,” the affidavit states. “The suspect follows the residents onto the elevator and gets off on the second level with them. He walks down the hallway where he enters a stairwell and walks up the stairs to the ninth level.”
Surveillance footage reportedly captured Banerjee walking into his ninth-floor apartment shortly before Belser, now wearing a black face mask, attempted to open the door. The affidavit details that Belser then lingered in the hallway, pacing between the stairwell and the apartment door for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes before the fatal confrontation.
Belser turned himself in to authorities on Sunday and has since retained high-profile defense attorney Keith Adams, known for representing rapper Young Thug in the ongoing YSL trial. Adams declined to comment on specific case details but told Channel 2’s Seiden that his client, a student at Morehouse College, voluntarily surrendered and maintains his innocence.
More: Heartbroken Family Seeks Answers After Five-Year-Old Daughter Dies Hours After Hospital Visit
More: Husband Exposes wife’s Cheating at his 40th Birthday Party
“He has no record whatsoever, strong ties to the community, a very strong family,” Adams said. “He is the real victim.” The arrest warrant and surveillance footage are now key components in the investigation as authorities work to determine a motive in the tragic killing. Police have not publicly disclosed any prior relationship between Belser and Banerjee.
As the case unfolds, both the Georgia Tech and Morehouse College communities remain in shock over the fatal shooting that has deeply shaken students and faculty across Atlanta’s academic institutions. Belser’s attorney, Keith Adams, who represented Young Thug during the YSL trial, told ABC affiliate WSB his client is the victim, although he declined to get into details.
You Might Also Like:
- Death Row Records founder Suge Knight breaks silence on Bad Boy Records founder Diddy’s federal trial
- Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness Divorce After Painful Betrayal Revealed
- Boaters Stunned as Giant 20-Foot Shark Swims Right By
- Cops Save Man from Bridge in Dramatic High-Risk Rescue After Police Chase Ends in Standoff
- Elon Musk to Step Down as Government Efficiency Head, Trump Hints Return