News

FBI seeks help in locating serial bank robber

Submitted by Eden Godbee, Where U Live Producer

Friday, May 11th, 2012, 10:16am

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Dekalb County Police and the FBI are seeking the public's assistance in locating a man they think is responsible for seven bank robberies in the DeKalb County area.

PHOTOS | "Serial bank robber" at large in DeKalb County

According to investigators, each of these robberies occurred in a "similar fashion." Witnesses said a black male would enter the banking center wearing a baseball cap, wait in line, then approach the teller window on a cellular phone and demand money from the teller.

Investigators believe the same man conducted robberies at the following locations:

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FAMU band director retires in wake of Robert Champion death

Submitted by Eden Godbee, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, May 10th, 2012, 6:55pm

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The director of the Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band has retired after 40 years with the university's music department.

Dr. Juilan E. White announced his retirement by issuing a statement through his attorney, Chuck Hobbs, on Thursday afternoon.

His retirement follows the investigation into the death of Marching 100 drum major Robert Champion, who died during a hazing incident after the Florida Classic in November.

PHOTOS | Robert Champion funeral

White was placed on administrative leave with pay in November.

According to his attorney, "Dr. White remains a loyal FAMU Rattler and wishes his alma mater continued success in the future. He looks forward to spending more time with his family."

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HIV crisis facing black women in metro Atlanta

Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, 12:26pm

ATLANTA -- 11Alive News is sounding the alarm.

Research shows African-American women, many living in Atlanta, are being infected with HIV -- so much so that the new cases are being compared to African countries.

Data collected in 2009 from the health departments in Clayton, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Douglas and Gwinnett counties indicates infection rates of HIV and AIDS, respectively, as follows: (This is for women and men combined, all races.)

Fulton: 4,213 and 7,342

DeKalb: 3,257 and 3,983

Clayton: 847 and 943

Cobb and Douglas: 1,030 and 1,288

Gwinnett: 884 and 1,041

In another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, black women make up 60 percent of all new HIV cases among women. That's 15 times higher than white women and four percent higher than Hispanic women.

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Doraville renter shoots intruder after being tied up

Submitted by Marc McAfee, Multimedia Journalist

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:13pm

DORAVILLE, Ga. (WXIA) -- Doraville police have three people in custody after a home invasion led to a man's death Tuesday. Chief John King said four intruders tried to tie up four renters in their house on Doral Drive at around 5 a.m. They said they do not know why the house was targeted.

The intruders broke in through a window, and before they could tie up the fourth person living there, they were shot by one of the renters. The four intruders got away, and went to Norcross to change clothes and take the injured man to the hospital. He died there, and the other three were arrested. No one involved has been indentified by police.

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Convenience store owner shot outside store

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Monday, May 7th, 2012, 7:19pm

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (WXIA) -- A man who people in the community have called a "true friend" to those in need was recovering Monday evening after being shot in his store earlier in the day.

DeKalb County police said the man was shot at his store on Buford Highway early Monday afternoon with no explanation whatsoever.

Police said it happened at a Shell station on Buford Highway at Dresden. The victim was the gas station and convenience store's owner, Shirazali Kassam, who was shot once in the abdomen. Police said Kassam was approached near the store's ice bin outside the store, by a man who shot him without saying anything.

"If the guy didn't have any money and needed something, (my father) would have given it to him," said Kassam's son, Rahim Kassam.

Investigators said the elder Kassam has owned the store for 17 years.

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Sunday liquor sales start in DeKalb, Gwinnett

Submitted by Jennifer Leslie, 11Alive Reporter

Monday, May 7th, 2012, 6:50am

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A mariachi band greeted customers at Tower Wine & Spirits on the first day of Sunday alcohol sales in unincorporated DeKalb County.

"I can't tell you how many times on Sunday I haven't had anything to drink and realized I can't buy anything," said customer Thom Abbott. "Now it's great. If you forget or have a barbecue and run out, you can go get something."

DeKalb voters approved Sunday sales by 72 percent in March, months after dozens of other cities across metro Atlanta had already started selling.

At the Tower store in Atlanta, there's been a boost to the bottom line.

"It has been positive for our sales and positive for our profit, as well," said Tower General Manager David Greenbaum.

Several metro cities report a bump in alcohol-related sales tax revenues. Aside from Sunday sales, the improving economy could also play a role.

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4th prescription drug take-back a big success

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, May 4th, 2012, 12:09pm

4th prescription drug take-back a big success

ATLANTA -- Last weekend's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was a big success in Georgia, with residents turning in an estimated 6,913 pounds of unwanted medication.

This number greatly exceeds the amount of drugs collected during the last take-back event in October, where Drug Enforcement Administration officials collected about 3,794 pounds.

Nationally, the event saw Americans turn in approximately 276 tons (552,161 pounds) of drugs.

"The Prescription Drug Take-Back campaign was a huge success," Harry S. Sommers, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, said in a statement. "This event was critical in stemming the tide of prescription drug abuse in this country."

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