Justice Pursued Over DeKalb County Gas Station Shootout

The pursuit of justice for a heartbroken mother in DeKalb County is ongoing. Her son identified as John Battle, 28, tragically lost his life in the crossfire of a terrifying shootout at a gas station in 2022. The trial for one of the alleged gunmen is anticipated to commence in the following week.

In a heartbreaking turn of events that took place nearly three years earlier, John Battle met his untimely demise outside a DeKalb County fuel service station. As the date draws near, his grieving mother is steeling herself to encounter one of the suspects embroiled in the case in court. Ace Benton, the accused, is believed to have played a part in the deadly shooting incident that occurred in March 2022, and his trial is set to kick off on Monday.

Late in the evening on March 4, 2022, Battle’s life was abruptly cut short at a Shell convenience store located on 6400 Covington Highway. An altercation that flared up among a group amassed outside the store escalated tragically. Battle, along with a female friend and his one-year-old baby girl, were trying to make a hasty exit when they were blindsided by an outburst of gunfire.

When a barrage of bullets rained down on them, Battle was hit and in his panicked state, steered the vehicle off the road into an accident. Miraculously, his young daughter and the woman accompanying him escaped without sustaining serious injuries. Security camera footage provided a chilling record of the frenzied moment when bursts of gunfire shattered the calm.

Eyewitnesses at the scene painted a grim picture, recounting that over 80 shots were fired during what appeared to commence as a botched robbery attempt. Among the accused shooters was a minor, merely 14 years old at the time of the incident. This young offender accepted a plea bargain due to his age. Benton, another individual implicated in the crime, allegedly refused multiple plea deals and is now prepared to face trial.

In the aftermath of this grave incident, control of the Shell station has transitioned to new proprietors. Battle’s mother, withholding her identity due to concerns for her safety, has embarked on a tireless crusade for justice over the last three years. She voiced her struggle saying, ‘Ever since the tragedy unfolded, I’ve been advocating for justice relentlessly, coordinating efforts with the DeKalb Courthouse and District Attorney’s Office.’

‘The fuel station was teeming with people that fateful evening, but for some inexplicable reason, my son was the sole victim,’ Battle’s mother reflected with a pained expression. Following up on the details of the impending court sessions, she admitted, ‘The upcoming courtroom procedures will be incredibly painful.’

‘Graphic images of my son will be on display, revealing the grim state in which he was found further down the road, slumped over in the car after the accident,’ she voiced with a quiver in her voice. The daughter Battle left behind is now a four-year-old who, though she has no recollection of the horrific night, reportedly misses her father, according to her grandmother.

Battle’s mother lamented on her loss, ‘My son’s demise ripped away my confidant, my ally, my investor. He had a knack for capital markets.’ In the face of such unimaginable tragedy, getting to the precipice of a trial has proved to be a steep uphill task, one that necessitated reaching out to local and state authorities.

To kickstart the process, she had to pen letters to various government institutions, including the state House, the governor, the district attorney, and even the U.S. attorney. ‘My quest for justice led me to write to the state House, the governor, the district attorney, and the U.S. attorney,’ she revealed.

Regardless of the hurdles encountered along the rigorous path to justice, Battle’s mother remains determined to be present at the trial. She yearns to witness her son’s alleged murderer being held accountable for his horrifying actions. ‘Only after justice has been meted out will I be able to grieve. For the past three years, I’ve been too consumed in this fight for justice to permit myself to mourn,’ she confided.

Although the trial is poised to start on Monday, the authorities at DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office have emitted a word of caution. Owing to other pending cases in the court’s docket, the start of proceedings could potentially be met with further delays.