In Metro-Atlanta 2010 - A Young Black Male College Student Suffers An "Emmit Till Outcome" As He Is Beaten To Death

AJC: 4 arrested after Douglas County teen beaten to death

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AJC Story

An 18-year-old beaten and stomped to death at a house party simply walked by his attackers at the wrong time, Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller told the AJC Sunday.

Bobby Tillman, of Douglasville, died before he could be transported to the hospital early Sunday, Miller said. Four people have been arrested in connection with the teen's death.

The four arrested were identified as Quantez Devonta Mallory, Horace Damon Coleman, Emmanuel Benjamin Boykins and Tracen Lamar Franklin.

What started out as a small party at a home on Independence Drive ended up with between 60 and 80 people, Miller said.

“Some very responsible parents let their daughters have a party at their house, and there were only 10 people expected to come," Miller said.

The parents asked the party-goers to leave, and a fight began between two girls outside the home, Miller said.

One of the females hit a male, who said he wouldn't hit a girl but would hit the next male that walked by, Miller said. The 5-feet-6 inch, 124 pound Tillman was the next male.

Tillman was still breathing as deputies arrived at the scene, Miller said. Deputies administered CPR to the teen, who did not survive.

"It'll bring tears to your eyes," Miller said. "It's just so sad."

Deputies interviewed 57 people following the beating incident, Miller said. Witnesses were taken by bus to the sheriff's office, he said.

Four people were arrested, and investigators do not believe there will be additional arrests, Miller said. The homeowners are not expected to face charges, he said. No drugs or alcohol were involved, Miller said.

"They were doing the very best they could," Miller said. "The situation got out of hand."

Tillman's death came as a shock to friends and former classmates of the 2010 graduate of Chapel Hill High School. Some, such as 18-year-old Adrienne Anderson, learned of his death on Facebook.

Anderson said Tillman didn't attend Chapel Hill very long, but made a lot of friends before he graduated.

“He never bothered anybody," Anderson said. "He was an all-around nice person.”

Anderson said she had planned to attend the party Saturday night, but changed her plans. "I was supposed to be going, but I'm glad I wasn't there," she said.

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