Confusion, chaos in the wake of the Starlight Drive-In murder

We’ve requested but haven’t yet received the incident report from DeKalb County Police, but several accounts indicate that Mitt Lenix was shot and killed at Starlight Drive-In for simply asking for help.

Early Tuesday morning, Lenix — a 28-year-old martial artist who operates a studio with his parents in Stockbridge — apparently knocked on Quentric S. Williams’ car window to ask for a jump — very normal, very common thing to do at Starlight. But, sources say Williams reacted by shooting Lenix and then driving off. Lenix later died in the hospital. Williams was pursued by police to the Gwinnett County line where he wrecked his truck and fled on foot. He’s still on the lam.

And then there was a second tragedy. As a DeKalb County officer sped down Memorial Drive to respond to a call about the shooting at Starlight, he struck and killed 27-year-old pedestrian Clifton Hightower who was crossing the road, police say, not in a crosswalk. It appears the officer, Jason Copper, might have had his lights on, but preliminary information indicates he was not running his siren.

In the aftermath of a deadly Monday night, DeKalb Police are investigating Officer Copper and their search for Lenix’s accused shooter, Quentric Williams, continues. Starlight Drive-In is open for business, and — following some initial confusion — a memorial fund has been established by the drive-in, in conjunction with the Lenix family, to raise money for martial arts training for young people in Mitt’s memory.

A message from that page ...
The Starlight Drive-In Family is devastated by the senseless and terrible events that took place on the night of May 14th. We do not accept that this is the way our neighborhood or City behaves. We do not accept that one person can hurt so many with a senseless act and we sit by and do nothing.

The Starlight Family of patrons is generations deep, and mightily strong through the love of family, community and tradition. The Starlight has welcomed all walks of life, ages and races since we opened in 1949, and will continue to do so for another 60 years.

Mitt Lenix and the sacrifice he made must be used as a galvanizing force to make this a better City.
A City where things like this, happens to no one.

More details when DeKalb Police release the reports associated with both incidents.