ATLANTA — A Fulton County judge denied bail to Karanji Reese, the 21-year-old charged with murder following a deadly shooting at the Elleven45 nightclub in May. The violent incident resulted in the deaths of two young people, Mari Creighton, 21, and Nykris Ridley, 20, and also left four others wounded.
The courtroom was tense as family members of the victims requested that Judge Rachel Krause keep Reese in custody. Taylor Holmes, a surviving victim who was celebrating a birthday on the night of the shooting, shared a poignant account of the night’s events, emphasizing her ongoing trauma.
“My heart aches every single waking second of the day, imagining what my baby must have gone through as she lay there alone, helpless during the final moments of her life,” Tracey Eason, Creighton’s mother, told the court. These emotional testimonies contributed to the atmosphere of grief and demand for justice.
The discussion extended to the nightclub’s role in the case. After the shooting, Elleven45 agreed to shut its doors for 60 days, a decision that came amidst calls from city officials for its closure. Preliminary plans show the club’s owners are set to meet with city representatives in August to talk about the establishment’s future and additional safety measures.
During the hearing, prosecutors detailed the circumstances leading to the shooting, pointing out that the incident, which escalated from a fight within the venue, was captured on security cameras. Reese’s lawyer argued that his client, having turned himself in and retaining strong family ties in Georgia, was not a flight risk and intended to face the charges.
However, Krause ruled against granting bail, citing Reese’s prior criminal charges and the potential risk of him committing another felony. “I am concerned that Mr. Reese may not return for trial if he were released on bond and I am also concerned that Mr. Reese poses a danger of committing a felony pending trial,” the judge said in her decision.
Reese’s bond denial follows a preliminary hearing in June where an Atlanta Police detective reaffirmed the details of the investigation, using surveillance footage as evidence of the shootout in the club.
As the city wrestles with the tragedy, community members continue to press for answers and accountability, not only concerning the suspect’s actions but also regarding the security and management of local nightlife venues. The case has sparked broader discussions about violence, safety regulations, and the responsibilities of entertainment venues in preventing such incidents.