In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through Atlanta’s music community, rapper Linton Blackwell, known as B Green, was shot 17 times in the back by an off-duty police officer in Buckhead, just six years after his cousin suffered a similar fate. The incident, which occurred outside a local bar, has ignited outrage and demands for justice from friends, family, and the wider Atlanta community.
On the night of October 11, 2025, B Green, a 44-year-old artist from the notorious East Lake Meadows neighborhood—often referred to as “Little Vietnam”—was reportedly involved in a confrontation at Five Paces, a bar in Northwest Atlanta. Witnesses claim he was escorted out of the venue before being pursued by Officer Gerald Walker, who was working a side job as security. Despite the chaotic circumstances, the fact that B Green was shot in the back raises urgent questions about the justification for the officer’s lethal force.
An autopsy revealed that nearly every bullet struck B Green from behind, leading many to question whether he posed a threat at all. “If he wasn’t facing you, he wasn’t a threat,” said Timothy Coleman, B Green’s manager, who is now calling for accountability. This tragic event marks the second time in six years that a member of B Green’s family has been killed in an officer-involved shooting, a pattern that has left the community reeling.
The details surrounding the incident are still unfolding. Initial reports suggested that B Green had retrieved an item from his vehicle and placed it in his waistband, prompting the officer to issue commands before opening fire. However, the nature of the item remains unclear, as investigators have not confirmed whether it was a firearm or something innocuous, like a phone. The stark reality that B Green was shot 17 times in the back has fueled a growing chorus of voices demanding justice.
“This is a broken system that needs to be fixed,” asserted Jimmy Hill, B Green’s cousin, who tragically lost his son to police gunfire in 2019. Hill’s family has also faced the agonizing struggle for justice, as the officer involved in his son’s death was acquitted. The parallels between the two cases are haunting, with both families grappling with the loss of loved ones at the hands of those sworn to protect them.
As the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues its inquiry, the community is left to grapple with the implications of these violent encounters. Activists and supporters are rallying for transparency and accountability, urging the District Attorney to pursue charges against Officer Walker. In a city known for its vibrant music scene, the loss of B Green resonates deeply, highlighting the intersection of art, struggle, and systemic violence that defines life in Zone 6.
With emotions running high, the call for justice is clear. Atlanta’s streets are echoing with the cries for truth, as families like B Green’s seek answers to the question: When will justice truly be served?
