Member of renowned hip hop group, Atlanta brewery owner shot, kidnapped outside business

ATLANTA —

Police in Atlanta and Hapeville are searching for two suspects they say robbed a patron at a local brewery and then attacked a renowned rapper and co-owner of the brewery before kidnapping and shooting him.

Atlanta officers said they were initially called to reports of a robbery Wednesday night outside the Atlantucky Brewery on Northside Drive. The brewery is owned by members of Grammy-nominated hip hop group, Nappy Roots.

Police say the suspects actually kidnapped one of the group members and forced him to drive to Hapeville, where the shooting happened.

But now instead of being in the studio, one of its members is in a hospital recovering from a gunshot wound.

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William Hughes, aka Skinny Deville, owns the brewery in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood.

His fellow group member, Melvin Adams, otherwise known as “Scales,” is the co-owner.

“I just spoke to him. He’s in good spirits,” Hughes said.

Police say at around closing time, Wednesday night a group of would-be robbers walked in the brewery with guns and demanded cash.

“They got ambushed, unfortunately,” Hughes said.

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Hughes said the bar at the brewery doesn’t accept cash, only credit cards.

According to Atlanta police, the suspects kidnapped Adams and made him drive to where he could get them money.

“They also forced the owner at gunpoint into his vehicle and fled toward Hapeville,” said Capt. Christian Hunt with the Atlanta Police Department.

Adams, according to police, tried to run away.

There was some sort of scuffle and one of the suspects shot Adams in the leg.

Police said Adams then ran to a house and got help. He is now in good condition at the hospital.

Police say the suspects only got away with about $30.

“Why do you think your establishment was targeted?” Channel 2′s Audrey Washington asked Hughes.

“I don’t know. We’re one of the first black-owned breweries. I think people see it as an opportunity,” Hughes said.

The suspects are still on the run.

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Adams’ white Mercedes-Benz SUV was recovered in Hapeville. Hapeville police currently have the SUV, but will be turning it over to Atlanta police so it can be searched for evidence.

Detectives have not released any details on possible suspects.

Atlantucky Brewing is one of just a handful of Black-owned breweries in the nation, and is owned by multi-platinum hip-hop group Nappy Roots.

The group formed while members attended Western Kentucky University. Adams is originally from Milledgeville.

This is the only incident that has happened at the brewery since it opened. Representatives said the team will increasing security at the brewery to ensure safety of customers and employees.

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