A man stalked his victim’s apartment for more than an hour before fatally shooting him in the head, according to Georgia authorities.
Nigel Belser, 21, is charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Atlanta police say he killed 22-year-old Akash Banerjee, a Georgia Tech student, on May 18 at an apartment complex. But officials haven’t said why or how the two knew each other, if at all.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local media outlets, video shows Belser, a Morehouse College student, sneaking into Banerjee’s building around 4 p.m. on the day in question, walking up to the ninth floor via stairs, and turning the victim’s apartment door knob. Belser reportedly remained inside the building for more than an hour.
Banerjee left his apartment for a quick run to a nearby gas station, returning about ten minutes later. Belser was reportedly hiding in the stairwell as Banerjee returned.
“It appears that something caught [the victim’s] attention, which prompted him to reach out to the door of the stairwell, where the suspect was still hiding,” according to the arrest warrant. “The victim quickly backs up, as he seems to be startled by his discovery.”
The victim attempted to fight back, but Belser allegedly shot him in the head. Banerjee managed to knock on an apartment door before collapsing.
“There is someone in front of my door, lying on the floor,” a 911 caller reported. “We heard a loud noise. Come quickly, because he appears to have been shot in the head.
Paramedics rushed Banerjee to the hospital, but he died from his injuries on May 20. The following day, police released video of a person of interest. Investigators identified Belser as a suspect, and he surrendered to the Fulton County Jail on Sunday, according to officials.
Belser’s attorney, Keith Adams, who represented Young Thug in the YSL trial, told ABC affiliate WSB that his client is the victim, but declined to elaborate.
“He has no record whatsoever, strong ties to the community, and a very strong family,” Adams told the TV station.
The defendant remains in Fulton County Jail without bond.
