Beloved Atlanta business owner shot to death in Old Fourth Ward, attorney says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A beloved Atlanta business owner was shot to death in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to his attorney.

Atlanta police said they responded to a person shot at 480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. NE, near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, just before 3:50 p.m.

Police said a 33-year-old man, who they have not publicly identified, had “apparent gunshot wounds” and was in critical condition before he died.

Chad Dillon was identified by his attorney, Malcolm Conner, as the man killed. Conner said Dillon, 33, was killed near a new Jamaican restaurant he was planning to open soon.

Dillon’s friends told Atlanta News First that he was working at the restaurant, Dipped N Butter, and was gunned down when he went out to his car. Atlanta police said a Rolls-Royce was found in the middle of the shooting scene.

Police said the shooting was a targeted attack. They’re still searching for a suspect.

Dillon was perhaps best known for the The Boiler Seafood & Crab Boil restaurant in Buckhead. He opened the restaurant back in 2020, achieving massive success.

Dillon also gave back to his community. He spoke with Atlanta News First in 2022 about his efforts to help convicted felons get a second chance at life.

RELATED: Buckhead restaurateur helping convicted felons start new with startup cash

Dillon donated around $15,000 to ex-offenders to help them create their own businesses, and spent 13 weeks teaching them social and business skills so they would be successful.

“Some of these guys are really good guys that made one mistake,” Dillon said at the time. “These people still have skills, they still have talent, they still have a lot of knowledge, and they’re still creatives. And we don’t want to forget about our creatives.”

Funeral plans have not yet been shared with Atlanta News First.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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