Employee Fatally Shoots Tire Shop Owner Before Owner’s Son Defends Himself and Stops the Threat

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ATLANTA, GA — On the afternoon of February 27, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded at a local tire shop in southeast Atlanta, leaving both the shop owner and a disgruntled employee dead following a workplace dispute that escalated to gunfire.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded at approximately 3:57 p.m. to a report of two people shot at J.M.R. New & Used Tires, located at 2995 Jonesboro Road SE. Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. The first victim, identified in subsequent reports as 56-year-old Maurice Davis, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second individual, identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office as 46-year-old Roderick T. Hunter, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Atlanta News First reported that Hunter, a former employee of the shop, shot and killed Davis during an argument. In the moments that followed, Davis’ son, Jeremiah Saunders, who was present at the shop, retrieved a firearm and fatally shot Hunter in what authorities are treating as a justified act of self-defense.

The Atlanta Police Department confirmed that the case is being investigated as a homicide and a “felon killed by private citizen,” a classification under Georgia law for justified use of deadly force to prevent further harm.

Davis, who owned and operated the tire shop for over a decade, was known in the community for his generosity and willingness to help those in need, including offering second chances to people struggling to find work. One of those individuals was Roderick Hunter, whom Davis had hired in an effort to help him get back on his feet.

Tragically, that goodwill ended in violence. The circumstances surrounding the initial dispute remain under investigation, but this incident underscores the unpredictable nature of workplace confrontations and the importance of being prepared for self-defense, even in environments we consider familiar and safe.

Davis’ son, Saunders, who had been working alongside his father for the past three years, has since taken over operations at the family business. He spoke publicly about his father’s legacy of kindness and community service, vowing to continue that mission despite the tragedy.

Self-Defense Tip: Carrying at Work

This incident serves as a stark reminder that acts of violence can occur in the very places we feel most comfortable — including the workplace. For small business owners and employees, particularly in customer-facing jobs, having a self-defense plan can be vital. In Georgia, business owners and employees can generally carry firearms at work under state law, though individual employers can set their own policies regarding firearms in the workplace.

While every situation is different, being armed and trained could be the difference between life and death in the face of an unexpected violent threat. Regularly reviewing workplace safety policies, practicing situational awareness, and ensuring that all firearms carried for self-defense are properly secured and accessible can help business owners and their staff stay prepared while continuing to serve their communities.