Inset: Nigel Belser (Atlanta Police Department). Background: The Connector apartment complex in Atlanta, Georgia (WANF/YouTube).
A man stalked his victim’s apartment for more than an hour before shooting him dead in the head, authorities in Georgia say.
Nigel Belser, 21, is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, and possessing a firearm during a felony. The incident took place at an apartment complex in Atlanta where he allegedly killed 22-year-old Georgia Tech student Akash Banerjee on May 18. However, it is still unclear whether the two individuals had any prior connection.
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According to an arrest affidavit from local media sources, surveillance footage captured Belser, a student at Morehouse College, entering Banerjee’s building around 4 p.m. that day. He proceeded to the ninth floor using the stairs and attempted to enter the victim’s apartment. Belser apparently remained inside the building for more than an hour.
Shortly after Banerjee left his apartment for a brief trip to a nearby gas station and returned after about 10 minutes, Belser was allegedly found hiding in the stairwell. The specifics of the relationship between the two individuals, if any, have not been disclosed by authorities.
“It appears that something caught [the victim’s] attention, which prompted him to reach out to the door of the stairwell, where the suspect was still hiding,” the affidavit reportedly said. “The victim quickly backs up, as he seems to be startled by his discovery.”
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The victim tried to fight back, but Belser allegedly shot him in the head. Banerjee was able to knock on an apartment door before collapsing.
“There is someone in front of my door lying on the floor,” a 911 caller said. “We heard a loud noise … Come quick because he’s apparently been shot in the head.”
Paramedics rushed Banerjee to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on May 20. Police released video of a person of interest the next day. Investigators identified Belser as a suspect and he turned himself into the Fulton County Jail on Sunday, officials said.
Belser’s attorney, Keith Adams, who represented Young Thug during the YSL trial, told ABC affiliate WSB his client is the victim, although he declined to get into details.
“He has no record whatsoever, strong ties to the community, a very strong family,” Adams told the TV station.
The defendant remains in the Fulton County Jail without bond.
