ATLANTA — An arrest has been made in the Buckhead shooting that killed two back in May, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
Authorities said Karanji Reese, 21, turned himself in on Wednesday. Reese faces murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to APD.
11Alive was in court on Thursday, where Reese waived his first court appearance.
The shooting happened on Mother's Day when a single shooter opened fire at the club and shot six people: 21-year-old Mari Creighton, who was an Albany State University volleyball player, 20-year-old Nakyris M. Ridley died, and four others were hurt.
Arrest warrants indicate that video from inside shows Ridley and the suspect got into a fight before the gunfire broke out. Reese is accused of "pulling out a gun and recklessly firing it" before he left the scene.
"Reese... knowingly and intentionally did shoot and kill Nakyris Ridley," the warrant says. "In the process, Karanji Reese did shoot and kill... Creighton."
Creighton's family has filed a lawsuit against the club, stating that because of the "actions and/or inactions of the defendants, which lead to the tragic and completely avoidable death of Mariam Creighton."
The suit claims the "defendants allowed an armed individual(s) to enter and remain inside the crowded premises for an extended period of time where alcohol was served," adding that a patron got into a confrontation that "escalated to the point where the armed individual pulled out his handgun and proceeded for fire numerous shots into the crowded nightclub..." hitting the victims.
In addition to the suit, the city of Atlanta has filed a complaint against Elleven45, asking for a temporary restraining order against the club, its owners and the club's property owner. The city asked the courts to declare Elleven45 a public nuisance and prevent alcohol sales on the property "in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public."
The club responded Friday, stating that it was being "racially targeted."
Earlier this month, 11Alive scoured all 1,547 calls for service to the lounge dating back to June 2020, finding that more than 1,100 off-duty Atlanta Police officers had worked security at the club.
Only three of the calls were for violent crimes - one was the most recent shooting, a shooting in November 2023, and a stabbing in 2021. The rest were various calls, ranging from noise complaints to thefts.
Thursday, 11Alive learned that the club would temporarily close for 60 days until a hearing can be held.
News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia.