Riverdale, Georgia — Jamal Alvin Payne, a 44‑year‑old father of five, was found shot to death inside his pickup truck on the evening of January 21, law enforcement confirmed. Police say the discovery was made just before 6 p.m. at the Emerald Pointe Apartments along Roberts Drive, where Payne’s lifeless body was seen inside the vehicle parked in the complex.
Family members describe Payne as a devoted parent and a familiar face in his neighborhood. In the hours after the shooting, Riverdale Police Department officers began canvassing the area and speaking with residents. Witnesses reported seeing two young men flee the scene on foot shortly after the shots were fired. One was said to be wearing a white hoodie, the other a colorful polka dot jacket, though police have not yet identified any suspects.
Detectives are appealing to the public for help. They have asked residents who live along Brookview Drive, Adele Lane, Chestnut Lane and Roundtree Road to check any surveillance or doorbell camera footage captured between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. that day. Even footage that appears insignificant could hold crucial clues, police said. Anyone with video that might assist the investigation is urged to call detectives at (770) 909‑5432.
Neighbors say the news hit the community hard, especially knowing Payne was a father raising his children and well‑liked by those who knew him. Friends gathered in small groups around the complex in the hours after the police activity, sharing memories and consoling one another as word of the tragedy spread.
Authorities have not released a motive, and the investigation remains active. Officers continue to follow leads and review any tips or footage that might shed light on what led to Payne’s death. The Riverdale Police Department emphasized that helping to locate the people seen fleeing could be key to solving the case.
Emerald Pointe, where the shooting occurred, is a residential apartment community off Roberts Drive in this south Atlanta suburb. Local residents describe it as a neighborhood where families and longtime tenants live side by side, making the violence especially shocking.
For now, Payne’s family and community are left mourning a father and friend taken far too soon. Police say they are committed to finding answers and urge anyone with information to step forward.
