Leo Neal, a 29-year-old Black man remembered by loved ones as a hardworking young man and the "best brother, uncle, and best friend," had his life tragically cut short in January 2025. Known affectionately by nicknames like "Buddy" and "Da General," his death left a void in the lives of his family, including his son.
On the evening of Saturday, January 18, 2025, a distressing scene unfolded in the Atlanta suburb of South Fulton. Around 8 p.m., police responded to a 911 call at a Shell gas station located in the 7100 block of Old National Highway. Arriving officers discovered Leo Neal slumped over inside a silver SUV, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, Leo Neal succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following day, on January 19, 2025.
The South Fulton Police Department launched a homicide investigation that quickly revealed a complex, multi-location crime.
While Neal was found at the gas station, investigators believe the shooting itself originated at a residence two miles away, in the 3500 block of Kimberly Forest Court. This quiet residential street, composed mainly of two-story houses, became a second crime scene. Detectives worked to process both locations for evidence, securing a perimeter and piecing together the sequence of events that led from the house to the gas station.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and seeing a person run from the area where the shooting was thought to have occurred. At the Shell station, authorities detained a female passenger who was with Neal in the SUV. Her connection to the incident and the details of what she may have witnessed have not been publicly disclosed by law enforcement. The investigation has been focused on determining how the events at the initial location on Kimberly Forest Court escalated and culminated in the fatal shooting.
As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not released a potential motive for the shooting or publicly named any suspects or persons of interest in the case. No arrests have been announced, and the case remains an active and ongoing homicide investigation. The South Fulton Police Department has urged the public to come forward with any information that might provide a break in the case.
In the wake of his death, those who knew Leo Neal have mourned the loss of a man they cherished. Online memorials became a space for remembrance, with friends and family lighting virtual candles and sharing memories of his personality and the positive impact he had on their lives. The community has been left searching for answers and hoping for justice for a life taken too soon.
The South Fulton Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the shooting of Leo Neal to contact them at 470-809-7300. The case remains open, and investigators are relying on community assistance to bring those responsible to justice.
