DECATUR, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The family of 47-year-old Leroy Ramos is now left with a huge void in their hearts.
“He was a great husband, he was a great man. He just wanted to be a provider, come home,” said Tavisha, his sister-in-law.
Marta police said someone shot Ramos over a $2.50 fare on the sidewalk at the Decatur station Friday night. Police are still searching for the gunman, but arrested two others the same night.
“It was a senseless killing, there was no regard for human life,” said Tavisha.
Sunday, family, friends and co-workers gathered where he was killed, to reflect on his life.
“He was a great cook. He liked laughing, he loved his people. He definitely loved his wife,” said Tavisha.
“Great guy, always funny,” said D. White, co-worker.
Ramos had just moved to Atlanta from New York, and had begun working for MARTA in October.
“Just a guy making a transition, making a move to better the quality of life for himself and his family,” said Devone Loadholt.
The Amalgamated Transit Union, where Ramos was a member, is supporting the family and demanding better protection for drivers.
Some of the requests include more transit police presence, and better driver shields.
“I’m asking MARTA to kind of step up. Make this a priority so that safety... our operators, our employees feel safe,” said Britt Dunams, president at Amalgamated Transit Union.
“This could have been you. This could have been anybody just going to work,” said Tavisha.
The family has started a GoFundMe for their cause against gun violence. Learn more here.
Atlanta News First does not vet or endorse individual GoFundMes. Donate at your own risk.
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danccbc on January 11st, 2025 at 00:40 UTC »
How do people grow up with no respect for life
No_Midnight_2183 on January 11st, 2025 at 00:26 UTC »
Horrible how we treat some of the most important workers in our society and what happens to them
GoodSamaritan_ on January 11st, 2025 at 00:22 UTC »
Cell phone video of the incident. Also included is footage of a driver who smacked a passenger for pointing a gun at him and another driver who pushed a passenger for punching him. Both drivers were fired and charged by Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Atlanta does nothing to protect their drivers and then punishes them for defending themselves.
These three juveniles refused to pay the $2.50 fare and then fired 8 shots at the driver when he told them to get off. If it's any consolation they've all been caught and the DA says they will be charged as adults.