A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Georgia Tech student at an off-campus student apartment complex this month, authorities confirmed Monday.
Nigel Belser, 21, turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail Sunday and is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, police said.
Police said the shooting happened just before 7 p.m. May 18 at The Connector Apartments on Spring Street in Midtown, a complex that caters to students and is just a couple of blocks from Georgia Tech’s campus.
When officers arrived, they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head. He was breathing but unconscious, officials said, and he was rushed to a hospital. Atlanta police later said the victim, identified as Akash Banerjee, 22, died from his injuries Tuesday.
A Georgia Tech spokesperson confirmed Banerjee was a student in a statement.
“Our hearts are with our student as well as his family and friends during this time,” the school said in a previous statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Police said the men were “arguing in the hallway,” which led to the shooting. An on-site security officer then reported the incident to police, a spokesperson for The Connector told the AJC.
Georgia Tech officials said there was no threat to the campus. Atlanta police are leading the investigation and did not release additional details about the shooter or the incident. Belser is being held without bond.
“The investigation remains ongoing at this time,” police said.
The school held its spring commencement earlier this month. Summer classes began May 12.
The Connector’s website bills the building as an “ultramodern” space with luxurious touches and sweeping views of Midtown. It offers a wide range of amenities, including a cafe, sauna and spa, rooftop pool and an outdoor theater.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of an isolated shooting incident at our community,” a spokesperson for The Connector said in a statement. “We are actively cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues. Although we believe this was an isolated incident, the safety and well-being of our residents remain our highest priority. Our thoughts are with the individual affected and all those impacted during this difficult time.”
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