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ATLANTA – Neighbors say they are heartbroken after someone beats to death a well-known homeless behind a gas station in southeastern Atlanta.
Police found 52-year-old Billy Bethune dead on Boulevard Street in Grant Park around 9 am Friday behind a gas station. Investigators believe that he died from blunt trauma to the head. A worker found his body where he was known to sleep.
Christian Jennings of Channel 2 was in Grant Park, where the police offered a $ 2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Neighbors told Jennings that the customers and workers at the gas station loved Bethune, which they said kept the door open to everyone, favoring people and always smiling.
The neighbors said that he lived behind the Chevron gas station near Boulevard, but that the neighborhood was his home.
"It was just the eyes and ears of this place," said a neighbor. "He loved being here and he always helped us, he washed the cars, we took care of him, he took care of us."
I can not say how much the customers and workers here have loved this man. They said that he always held the door open for everyone, offered favors to people and that he always had a smile. https://t.co/p0wdIIEeRR
– Christian Jennings (@CJenningsWSB) February 24, 2019
Neighbor Denyne Williams said she considered Bethune a family.
"I'm glad we know where he is, and he's not right under a bridge somewhere," Williams said through tears. "As for the blow to the head, I hope that one shot is what put him out and he knew nothing different from that moment on . "
Absolutely. He was "homeless," but this area and people were his home. Hoping that the police can catch the one who did that. https://t.co/M6XobJNrRI
– Christian Jennings (@CJenningsWSB) February 24, 2019
Jim Yarbrough lives in the Grant Park neighborhood that backs up the Chevron. He said that for years the neighbors had had problems with some vacant land surrounding the gas station. He hopes that something good can come out of Bethune's death.
"I just hope this defeat will bring something good," Yarbrough said.
TRENDS
Kelly Jackson said that she did not feel comfortable even walking with her children in this part of the neighborhood. She hopes that someday it will change.
"We had people living in these woods," Jackson said. "There were people here arguing, obviously drunk or drugged."
Jackson sadi, she would love to have more lights installed in the area.
Police ask anyone who is aware of the attack to call Crime Stoppers.
© 2019 Cox Media Group.
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