Riverdale police confirmed that 44-year-old Jamal Alvin Payne was found shot and killed inside his pickup truck Wednesday evening at the Emerald Pointe Apartments on Roberts Drive. The chilling discovery came just before 6 p.m., when officers responded to calls about gunfire and found Payne unresponsive in his vehicle with at least one bullet hole visible in the passenger window.
Neighbors said the quiet Wednesday evening turned tense as multiple police units arrived at the scene, including the Riverdale Police Department and backup from the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. A helicopter hovered overhead and K-9 teams were deployed to search the sprawling apartment complex as officers worked to secure the area.
Police have described the shooting as a homicide and believe at least two suspects may be involved. Witnesses told investigators they saw two young men — one wearing a white hoodie and another in a polka-dot jacket — running from the scene shortly after shots were heard. Despite the rapid response from law enforcement, no arrests have been made, and both men remain at large.
For those who knew him, Payne was much more than a victim in a crime report. Friends and family described him as a warm, generous presence in the Riverdale community — someone who greeted neighbors with a smile and offered help freely. His death has left a deep sense of loss among loved ones who are now grappling with how sudden and senseless the violence was.
As word of the shooting spread, community members gathered near the apartment complex, many visibly shaken. Police tape cordoned off parking areas and residents peered from balconies, absorbing the reality that a familiar face had been taken from them. Loved ones stood together in quiet reflection, sharing stories about Payne’s life and the kindness he showed others.
Investigators have appealed for help from anyone who may have seen the suspects or captured video of the incident. Detectives continue to piece together what led up to the shooting and are asking residents to come forward with any details, no matter how small.
Payne’s passing has rippled through Riverdale, where friends call for answers and justice. In the face of grief, the community remains united in remembering who he was — a son, a friend, a neighbor — and in hoping that his death will not go unanswered.
