Decatur, Georgia – The District Attorney’s office in Dekalb County has determined that they lack the evidence necessary to prosecute the individual responsible for the death of Brandon Veal. On a tragic day in August 2022, Veal visited a friend’s residence accompanied by his girlfriend and her young son.
Initial reports suggested that Veal greeted his friends before returning to his car with his girlfriend and the child. Witnesses then heard a sudden sound followed by the horrific news that Veal had been fatally shot. The heart-wrenching loss was expressed by Veal’s mother, Allison Woodard, who mourned the senseless death of her beloved son.
The girlfriend initially claimed that the fatal gunshot came from her three-year-old son who was sitting on Veal’s lap. However, a coroner’s report revealed that the trajectory of the bullet indicated it was fired from the passenger side of the car, refuting the initial claim. Despite the arrest of the girlfriend on murder charges, the District Attorney’s office opted not to pursue the case due to insufficient evidence.
Claire Simms Chaffins, the Director of Communications for the Dekalb County District Attorney’s office, conveyed condolences to Veal’s family while highlighting the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt required for prosecution. Legal experts emphasized the challenges of prosecuting cases based on singular witnesses, particularly when the witness is also the defendant.
The family of Brandon Veal expressed frustration with the investigative process, believing that more thorough efforts could have led to justice. Witnesses present at the scene shared their experiences with the media, questioning how accountability was not upheld in a situation where a life was tragically lost. The call for justice resonated strongly with Veal’s loved ones, who continue to seek closure and answers in the wake of their devastating loss.