Atlanta man convicted in fatal shooting in bottled water territory

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Terrell Anderson (Courtesy of Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

ATLANTA – An Atlanta man will spend the next 30 years behind a fatal 2020 shooting stemming from a turf dispute over the sale of bottled water.

Terrell Anderson pleaded guilty to three counts of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. For that, Fulton County Judge Kimberly Adams sentenced him to 30 years in prison and an additional five years of probation.

“Mr. Anderson made a grave mistake by resorting to deadly violence at the age of 16, but his difficult upbringing deserved consideration,” said District Attorney Fani T. Willis. “The victim’s family did not want to go to court and we worked to balance accountability and justice with this plea.”

Deadly shooting in Modera Midtown

Anderson was just 16 years old the day he went to the loading dock of the Modera Midtown Apartments at 95 8th Street on June 27, 2020, to sell water to motorists getting on and off the nearby Downtown Connector .

He was eventually joined there by 16-year-old Jalanni Pless. Prosecutors say things went south when Pless received $10 for a bottle of water. Anderson lashed out at Pless, accusing him of encroaching on his place. A fight over money ensues, eventually causing the $10 bill to be torn.

Anderson left the scene, but returned half an hour later, this time armed with a gun. Prosecutors say surveillance video from the loading dock shows Anderson chasing Pless and shooting him twice. Anderson left, but returned a few minutes later to check on Pless, who was unresponsive.

Anderson then fled the scene. Video minutes later from the Midtown MARTA station then shows Anderson handing a gun to a friend to dispose of before boarding the train. He got off at Five Point station.

He turned himself in to the Metro Youth Detention Center on July 8, 2020.

Terrell Anderson fight in Fulton County Jail

It was three years later that Anderson would make news again, this time behind bars.

Anderson was in the Fulton County Jail in August 2023 and appeared to be angry. According to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson decided on his own to leave his housing area at the Fulton County Jail. A police officer ordered him to turn around, but he did not obey.

The guard then pulled out his Taser and fired. Terrell Anderson, 19, was struck, but still did not back away, according to the officer.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said Anderson pulled the Taser prongs from his body and charged at the officer, assaulting him.

The shots came quickly, as did a group of backup officers.

Ultimately, Anderson was eliminated.

Three additional charges were filed: obstruction, battery on a law enforcement officer and rioting in a correctional facility.

Anderson pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to 15 years, which will run concurrently with his 30 years in prison.