Preliminary Information: On Saturday, August 1, 2026, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Atlanta police officers responded to a person shot call at 1009 Lawton Ave. SW. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. One male was transported to the hospital alert, conscious, and breathing for medical treatment. The other male was pronounced deceased at the scene by Grady EMS.

Officers were able to locate and detain a male suspect. Homicide investigators responded to the scene and, upon further investigation, the suspect, identified as 64-year-old Robert Varner, was subsequently charged with the following:

Murder
Aggravated Assault
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Please keep in mind that the information released is preliminary in nature and could change as the investigation progresses or new information comes to light.