The night was supposed to be a celebration—a few friends gathered to mark **Gary Matthews’ 31st birthday**—but it ended in chaos and tragedy outside a Clarkston strip club early Saturday morning. Just before **4 a.m.**, police say two men stepped out of a **Jeep** parked on
Brockett Road near U.S. 78** and opened fire on the car where Matthews and three friends were sitting. The bullets tore through the windows in seconds, shattering glass, laughter, and any sense of safety the group had left.When officers arrived, **Gary Matthews**, a Lithonia resident known for his easy smile and loyalty to his friends, was already gone—killed instantly at the scene.
Another man in the vehicle was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in grave condition. The two women who had been sitting in the car escaped physical harm, but police say they witnessed everything, including their friend’s final moments.Officers attempted to intercept the suspects’ **Jeep** as it sped away, but the vehicle managed to evade pursuit.
It was later found abandoned not far from the scene, prompting investigators to canvass the area for surveillance footage and witnesses who might help identify the shooters.Detectives with the **DeKalb County Police Department** are leading the homicide investigation, but as of late Saturday, no arrests had been made. Authorities believe the shooting may have been targeted, though a motive remains unclear.
Friends and family have flooded social media with tributes to Matthews, describing him as “a good soul” and “the kind of person who made everyone feel welcome.” What should have been a night of laughter and celebration has become yet another reminder of how quickly gun violence can destroy lives—and how fragile joy can be when hate finds its way in.
