Former Boxing Champion Vernon Forrest Shot Dead in Carjacking Attempt in Atlanta, GA

Another death of a boxer …

Former boxing champion and member of the United States 1992 Olympic Boxing team, Vernon “the Viper” Forrest was shot and killed Saturday night in Atlanta, GA in an attempted carjacking. Vernon Forrest was killed late Saturday night, July 25, 2009 at the age of 35.

According to WSBTV, Forrest stopped at a gas station to put air in the tire of his Jaguar when he was approached by two men. Vernon had a gun and after a brief foot chase that ensued, the boxer and suspects exchanged gun fire. The police said Forrest, 38, was shot about eight times in the back and the head. Police are said to be looking for two black males last seen leaving the scene in a Red Monte Carlo.

The shooting happened in the 500 block of Fulton Street in the Mechanicsville community.

Police said Forrest, 38, was shot about eight times in the back. Police said the gunmen had two semi-automatic weapons. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office said Forrest was pronounced dead at 1:29 a.m. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday morning.

Police said Forrest had his girlfriend’s son in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The child remains in police custody until his mother arrives from Texas.

The boxer had a gun and started running after the suspects.

Police: Killer shot boxer Vernon Forrest in back

According to Atlanta Police Detective Lt. Keith Meadows, Forrest had stopped at a gas station on Whitehall Street around 11 p.m. Saturday night. With him was his 11-year-old godson, visiting from Texas.

As the boy went inside to use the bathroom and buy snacks, Forrest went to the rear of his Jaguar to add air to a low tire. It was then when a male suspect robbed him at gunpoint and fled.

Forrest, reportedly armed, chased after the man a short distance, to an area near Daniel and Fulton streets. Shots were exchanged, police said. Giving up the chase, and turning to return to the gas station, Forrest was shot seven to eight times in the back, according to police.