Ex-Champion Vernon Forrest Gunned Down In Atlanta
Posted by Media Outrage on July 26th, 2009
Former boxing champion Vernon Forrest was killed last night in Atlanta during a car jacking.
Via Espn:
Former two-division world champion Vernon Forrest was shot and killed Saturday night during an attempted carjacking, promoter Gary Shaw said.
“It’s 100 percent confirmed. He’s dead,” said Shaw, who had two stints as Forrest’s promoter. “I will say this about him — he was a decent human being. His work with kids, I think people knew how much he cared for kids, underprivileged and mentally challenged people. He was a real decent human being outside the ropes.”
WSB Radio in Atlanta first reported the shooting, citing a police spokesman. Forrest, who was 38, was an Atlanta native. He was shot seven or eight times as he chased at least two men who had tried to steal his Jaguar as he put air in his tires at an Atlanta gas station, Lt. Keith Meadows said, according to the radio station.
But Forrest had a gun and confronted the men, police said.
“The victim and suspect became involved in a brief foot chase,” Meadows said. “At some point, gunfire was exchanged between the two of them. The victim was shot at least once in the head.”
Forrest was fatally wounded by two semi-automatic weapons, according to police.
“At this point we have a general description of at least two black males driving a red Monte Carlo.” Meadows said, according to the report.
Police said the suspects likely didn’t know Forrest, whose girlfriend’s young son was in the car when he was shot.
“What can you say? Alexis Arguello, Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest all leaving us within 30 days? I think it’s a little much for our sport to handle,” Shaw said, referring to the recent high-profile deaths of two other boxing stars. “The violence, the guns have to go. Violence belongs inside the ropes. Not outside them. It’s just senseless. Maybe boxing ought to dedicate itself to keeping the violence inside the ropes and try to send that message out to the world.”
Manager Al Haymon was too broken up to talk about Forrest, the first fighter he signed to what would become an all-star stable.
Mediaoutrage- R.I.P. Very senseless death. We hope the murderers are captured and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
July 26th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
sad, very senseless, I wonder why he felt he had to chase them and go after them , and pull his gun , i would of let them have the jaguar, hell that is material shit, your life is what is more important, i would of took the kid out and let them have it, wow , but to chase them that was senseless
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July 26th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Very Sad. I have been a fan of this man every since he beat Suga Shane. Another sad thing is that he got killed in the neighborhood I grew up in. So so sad.
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July 26th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Damn.
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July 26th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Very sad & senseless indeed. R.I.P.
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July 26th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Dissapointed with our society! From one mans hard work, to another mans envy! We first lost Alexis then we lost Arturo,now we lost Vernon. This was a senseless killing! The boxing world is at deaths door again! You all will be missed!
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July 26th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Yeah, the great one died. He was a damn good fighter and will be sorely missed.
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
That’s terrible. R.I.P.
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Sad news. He was a good fighter. Damn everywhere is caught up in this bullshit. What the f^ck is going on in the ATL?
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Senseless… my condolences to the family.
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
My condolences to Mr. Forrest, his loved ones and friends.
Unfortunately, this type of nonsense is going on all over the country – not just in ATL. I very seldom watch my local (bad) news anymore – too depressing.
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
What he didn’t have any car insurance ? Why chase down your car ? Its no making any sense..
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
@MM…its not just in Atlanta. This type of shit is going on everywhere. Just turn on the news in whatever city you live in.
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July 26th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
very well said @ boxing fan…
Dissapointed with our society! From one mans hard work, to another mans envy!
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July 26th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Never said betta Atlanta…
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