Fraternity members and HBCU alum are mourning the loss of Anthony Pearson after his fatal shooting on Sunday.
And now they want to help a young girl who lost her father.
A day of fellowship and brotherhood turned into tragedy when a masked man opened fire at a Kappa Alpha Psi picnic over the weekend, killing 33-year-old Pearson.
Fraternity members of the Gamma Zeta and Gamma Chi chapters had gathered at Coan Park in the Edgewood neighborhood of Atlanta on Saturday when a masked man approached the group and started an argument, police said.
According to WSB-TV, when some of the fraternity members tried to deescalate the situation, the man wearing a ski mask began shooting.
Pearson was reportedly shot in the head and died at the scene. Two others were also wounded.
Police reported that others at the picnic who had concealed carry permits fired back at the suspect, fatally wounding him in the process.
The alleged shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Justin Minnitee.
REMEMBERING A LOVING BROTHER
The Gamma Zeta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity is from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. The Gamma Chi chapter is from Savannah State University.
The Gamma Chi chapter posted an Instagram message about Pearson and his love for his fraternity and family.
“Anthony, affectionately known as “AP,” was a beloved father, son, brother, family member and friend. He will be remembered for an energy and light that charged the hearts and spirits of all who encountered him.”
A message and video of Pearson strolling with his fraternity brothers was shared on the Instagram account for OneSSU1890: Check on your people, SSU. This one hit us hard. Remembering our Fallen Tigers. 🧡💙🐅
Anthony Lewis Pearson ‘16
Gamma Chi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Spring 2012 ♦️👌🏾
6.28.25 🕊️
Pearson’s sister told reporters, “He was going to make you feel like family. Everybody was family to him. His aura is unmatched, it’s always going to be unmatched.”
Pearson had reportedly stepped into a leadership role within his family following the death of their father. “When our dad passed, Anthony stepped up. He was the one,” his sister said. “That’s why I call him my little big brother—because let him tell it, he’s the oldest and we have to listen to him.”
A fundraiser to collect $90,000 to support Pearson’s daughter Avery was launched in his memory. Carl Scott, the organizer wrote: “AP was more than just a friend or brother; he was a light in every room, a source of joy, wisdom, and realness. He poured love into his people, and now, we’re coming together to pour that love back into what mattered most to him: his daughter, Avery.”
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was founded on the campus of Indiana University in 1911 and has over 150,000 members.
The organization is hosting its annual conclave July 1-6 in Phoenix.
Follow Capital B Atlanta for updates on this developing story.
