Atlanta police investigating two separate murders of homeless men sleeping on the streets say the killings are linked, NBC affiliate WXIA reported. Homicide Detective David Quinn told the station that .45-caliber bullets were used in both slayings, and they would have come from one of two types of revolvers: a Smith & Wesson Governor or Taurus Judge. Bullets for such guns haven't been manufactured since 2010, Quinn added.
Police had earlier speculated that the same person is targeting homeless people in downtown Atlanta. The first victim, Dorian Jenkins — known on the streets as Sidewinder — was found dead Nov. 23 in a small park at which he is known to have slept, police said. Two days later, the body of 64-year-old Tommy Mims — nicknamed Can Man — was found under a railroad bridge.
In a disturbing detail in Mims' death, Quinn said, the shooter would have had to reload his revolver, which holds five or six rounds. Mims was hit with seven bullets. Witnesses in both cases could only tell police the shooter was wearing dark clothing.
Without much to go on, investigators must work up a rough composite of the gunman. Dave Davis, a forensic psychiatrist not associated with the case, said the shooter is likely older than 25. "A lot of times the psychological mind of this person picking on someone who's really down had a tough time," Davis told WXIA. "So one, he's a coward, and two, he probably hates himself. He is seeing himself in that person."