On Six-Month Anniversary, Cotrona Murder Case Leads are 'Exhausted'

EAST ATLANTA — It was six months ago today that neighborhood resident Patrick Cotrona lost his life on May Avenue as he and some friends walked from his May Avenue home to the Village.

Cotrona, who was shot in an armed robbery that night, died from his injuries. His killer, who was pepper sprayed by one of the other robbery victims, is described as a young, thin black male seen last seen leaving the scene in a dark-colored, four-door vehicle.

The shooting, which followed another unsolved murder East Atlanta murder of Henry Omar Reeves just a week earlier, drew waves of attention to the neighborhood and an overall crime spike across southeast Atlanta.

The concern forced some major changes to police patrols in the neighborhood and other adjoining communities and forced Mayor Kasim Reed, who rarely comes to Southeast Atlanta, to address residents' public safety concerns directly at meetings in East Lake and Ormewood Park.

Despite the attention and more than $25,000 in Crime Stoppers reward money raised via public and private funds to nab his shooter, police say the case has not moved much.

"All viable leads have been exhausted," Atlanta Police Department spokesman Sgt. Gregory Lyon told East Atlanta Patch. "We are in need of additional leads to move the investigation forward."

Investigators suspect the two men involved in the shooting of the Georgia Tech graduate and video game engineer are connected to two armed robberies that same night in Reynoldstown.

Police released sketches of the two suspects, but their identities remain unknown, Lyon said.

"The case has not progressed significantly," Lyon said. "We are in need of the public’s help."

Citizens are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers with any information, 404.577.TIPS (8477). They will remain anonymous.