A man was killed in a "terrible accident" at a homeless encampment in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday. According to local authorities, the encampment was being closed after 90 days of "extensive outreach."
Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers responded to a call of an injured man at around noon on Old Wheat St. The man was "transported to the hospital," where he was eventually "pronounced deceased," APD said.
The accident allegedly involved a city vehicle, as reported by WXIA-TV. A witness told the local news outlet it was a "bulldozer" from Atlanta's Department of Public Works (DPW). The department responded to the news report with a written statement, saying they were "fully cooperating with the Atlanta Police Department's ongoing investigation."
According to local journalist Cody Alcorn, the victim was inside a tent when he was crushed by a front loader being used by the city to clear out the encampment. "Witnesses say DPW did not check the tents before moving the machinery through the encampment," Alcorn wrote on social media.
Vigil tonight for Cornelius Taylor. He was inside a tent on Old Wheat St when he was crushed by a front loader being used by the city to clear out a homeless encampment on Thurs. Witnesses say DPW did not check the tents before moving the machinery through the encampment. pic.twitter.com/E0SHsuZ445
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) January 17, 2025
The victim has been identified as Cornelious Taylor by the Housing Justice League (HJL), a grassroots organization that advocates for housing as a human right. HJL held a vigil honoring Taylor on Friday.
Sylvia Broome, an outreach worker with the nonprofit Remerge, knew Taylor. She told WABE News he had a good heart and liked to draw. "He had dreams, ambitions, he had family, he was a good, good friend of mine and he's gone," Broome said.
At the vigil for Cornelius Taylor who was killed last night by City of Atlanta workers bulldozing their encampment without a second thought, around the corner from Martin Luther King, Jr’s church 🖤 pic.twitter.com/fPUDzo67Fk
— Lex Roman (@lexjustliving) January 18, 2025
Photos of the vigil shared online show around 20 people gathered around a small altar made up of flowers, posters, and candles. One of the attendees highlighted that the encampment was "around the corner from Martin Luther King Jr's church."
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described the incident as a "terrible accident" and pledged to review the city's procedures, so it doesn't happen again. "I care deeply about each and every life in this city," Dickens said in a written statement.
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