The family of Erman Preston Hendricks Jr., who was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack while he was sleeping near Atlanta City Hall, is demanding answers as they piece together the final days of their loved one’s life. Hendricks, 54, was discovered with fatal stab wounds in the early hours of December 14, but many questions about the circumstances remain unanswered.
The Mystery Surrounding His Death
Hendricks, a Delaware native, was reportedly en route to Calhoun to handle personal paperwork before returning home to care for his mother. His family last heard from him two weeks before he was stabbed. How and why he ended up in downtown Atlanta remains a mystery.
“He never made it to Calhoun, and we don’t know why,” said his brother, Thomas Hendricks. “We don’t know what happened.”
Atlanta Police have released limited details about the crime, saying only that Hendricks was attacked while he was sleeping and that the stabbing appeared to be unprovoked. According to Thomas Hendricks, the police have not released any additional details to the family. His family has not been told where he was sleeping at the time or any circumstances leading up to his death.
When contacted by The Georgia Sun for more information, an Atlanta Police spokesman said the city is not releasing any additional details.
A Family in Grief
Thomas described Erman as a gentle soul who avoided conflict and focused on helping others. “My brother was a gentle person. He was trying to do the right thing. He would never have approached someone or hurt anyone,” Thomas said. For his family, the lack of answers has compounded their heartbreak.
Surveillance Footage and Appeal for Help
Authorities have released surveillance footage of the suspect and are calling on the public to help identify the individual. The family hopes the community will come forward with any information that could bring them closure.
What We Don’t Know
• Why was Hendricks in Atlanta instead of Calhoun, where he intended to go?
• What were the circumstances that led to him sleeping outdoors near Trinity Avenue?
• Who is responsible for this attack, and why?
How You Can Help
If you have any information about this case, please contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or text “CSGA” and the tip to CRIMES (738477). Anonymous tips are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
For the Hendricks family, the search for answers is about more than solving a crime— it’s about honoring the memory of a man who deserved far better than the senseless violence that claimed his life.
The Video: The video of the suspect in the stabbing is below.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
