Atlanta Man Convicted of Killing 1, Injuring 1 in Ambush on Out-of-Towners

The incident happened on June 20, 2012 in the 700 block of Reed Street in southeast Atlanta. The men were in town to drive a friend back home to Macon. While they waited in their vehicle, Nations approached the men and offered to show them where they could purchase marijuana in exchange for a ride.

The men drove a few blocks away to Reed Street-- a dead-end road where there were no drugs. As they were leaving the location, Nations, who was a walking a few feet behind the men, fired four shots at the victims. Swint was struck in the side of the face and later died as a result of his injuries.

Moss was struck in the leg and foot as he attempted to run. He survived. Nations then stole the victims’ money and car and fled the scene. The car was later found stripped and abandoned.

Nations was arrested four days later in Talladega County, Alabama after being identified in a photographic lineup. During trial, the defendant claimed he fired at the victims in self-defense but under cross-examination admitted intentionally shooting the men. The incident was partially captured on surveillance video.

Immediately following his conviction, Nations was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 25-years in prison by presiding Fulton County Superior Court Judge Tom Campbell.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney John Caldwell with assistance from ADA Maisha Green and DA Investigator Marshall English. Detective D. Sutton of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.