Mother of man killed in officer-involved shooting asks council for updates; councilmember offers to help

Valerie Anderson used the council’s public-comment period to demand answers about the death of her son, Devon Anderson, which she said was caused by an Atlanta Police officer, identified in other sources as a person named Melvin Potter.

“Ten months in. I still don't know why,” Anderson told the council. She said Fulton County arrested the officer and that he “chose not to take a blood draw,” adding she felt the criminal-justice system had not treated the family fairly. Anderson urged the council, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and the relevant prosecuting offices to provide information to the family.

Council member Antonio Lewis responded publicly. Lewis said he has been “the advocate making sure to ask all of the questions that she needs me to ask” and that he has been coordinating with the public-safety committee and the family. He urged patience for a thorough investigation but said he would seek status updates and pass on whatever public information is available.

No criminal-case outcomes were announced at the meeting and the council did not take formal action; council members said they would relay Anderson’s request to the appropriate law-enforcement and prosecutorial entities and would assist the family in obtaining information.

Anderson’s public remarks were emotional and drew multiple references from other council members and attendees offering support. The council’s responses emphasized the sensitivity of pending investigations and the need to avoid actions that could compromise eventual prosecutions while also acknowledging the family’s need for information.