One Of The Shooting Victims In Atlanta Robbery In Which Former GSU Player Demazio Skelton Jr. Was Killed Is Now Charged With Murder

Demazio S. Skelton Jr., a 35-year-old former Georgia State University football star, was shot and killed during an armed robbery at an Atlanta apartment complex on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

The Incident

According to the Atlanta Police Department and arrest warrants, the shooting occurred at The Flats on Maple Street apartments in Atlanta’s Vine City neighborhood. Investigators state that 19-year-old Naim Smith and three other unidentified men kicked in the door of an apartment in an attempted armed robbery. Police believe the apartment was being used to store illegal drugs for sale, as investigators recovered packages of suspected marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms prepared for distribution.

A struggle ensued inside the apartment, resulting in a quadruple shooting. Skelton was killed, two other men inside the apartment were wounded but are expected to survive, and one of the suspects (Naim Smith) was also shot before fleeing.

Arrests and Charges

Suspect Arrested: Naim Smith, 19, was taken into custody after seeking treatment for a gunshot wound at Grady Memorial Hospital. Smith faces felony charges of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and three counts of armed robbery. He has been jailed with no bond.

Three other suspects involved in the robbery fled and remain at large.

Demazio Skelton Jr.’s Background

Skelton was a standout student-athlete from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who played safety for the Georgia State Panthers from 2011 to 2012. He is remembered for recording a 93-yard fumble return—the longest in school history—and having a two-interception game. Georgia State University expressed deep sadness over the death of the former student-athlete.