Kentel Hunt: Family Mourns Atlanta Man Killed Outside Work

Kentel Hunt, a 26-year-old father, was shot and killed in the parking lot of his workplace in southeast Atlanta, Georgia, early on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Atlanta police arrested a suspect, Stephen Malone, within hours and charged him with murder and four other counts.

Six days later, Hunt's family spoke publicly about the son, brother and father they lost. His mother and younger brother worked the same shift at the same company and were at the building that night. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Who Was Kentel Hunt?

Hunt had worked for Royal Food Service, a food distributor on Zip Industrial Boulevard SE near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, for nearly five years, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. He worked alongside his mother, Brandy Hughley, and his younger brother, Jordan Hughley.

He leaves behind a fiancée and a 2-year-old son. His obituary, published through Legacy Funeral Home & Life Center in Jonesboro, gives his full name as Kentel Gabriel Deshon Hunt and names his fiancée as Alexis Collier.

His brother described a family built around work and looking after each other. "Everything has just been about money and taking care of family, that's all we've been about," Jordan Hughley told FOX 5 Atlanta. Brandy Hughley told the station that her grandson looks and acts like his father and is "full of energy, just like how his dad was."

What Happened on Zip Industrial Boulevard?

Atlanta police said officers were called to Royal Food Service, in the 3700 block of Zip Industrial Boulevard SE, at about 1:29 a.m. on October 1 after a report of a shooting. They found a 26-year-old man in the parking lot who had been shot. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died.

According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Jordan Hughley found his brother in the parking lot and ran back inside the warehouse to get their mother. Brandy Hughley told the station she prayed that her son would survive. "They took half of my heart from me," she said.

Has Anyone Been Arrested?

Yes. Atlanta police put out a citywide lookout with a description of a suspect and a vehicle, and told Lawrenceville police that the suspect might be heading to their city. Lawrenceville officers used Flock technology to narrow down where the vehicle was traveling, according to WSB Radio and Atlanta News First.

At about 2:57 a.m., roughly an hour and a half after the first call, Lawrenceville officers found the vehicle at a gas station on Grayson Highway, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. The driver was taken into custody without incident and handed over to Atlanta officers. Officers recovered a firearm. A second person was also detained, and the reports do not say how that person is connected to the case.

Atlanta police identified the suspect as Stephen Malone. FOX 5 Atlanta gives his age as 36. Atlanta homicide investigators charged him with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, armed robbery and theft by taking. WSB Radio reported that he was to be taken to the Fulton County Jail.

Malone has been charged, not convicted. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

What Police Have Said

On the day of the shooting, investigators said they believed it grew out of an ongoing dispute between two men. Atlanta News First reported that police believed the victim and the suspect were co-workers, and quoted Lt. Christapher Butler as describing "an escalating dispute that's been going on for some time."

Police have not said publicly what that dispute was about. In FOX 5 Atlanta's October 7 report, neither investigators nor Hunt's family had identified a motive. The reports reviewed for this article also do not explain what the armed robbery and theft by taking counts refer to.

Atlanta police said on October 1 that the investigation "remains highly active."

What Happens Next

None of the reports reviewed for this article lists a bond decision or a court date for Malone. They also do not say whether the second person who was detained faces any charge.

Hunt's family is preparing to lay him to rest. His obituary lists a celebration service for Saturday, October 10, 2026, at noon at Greater St. Peter AME Church in Jonesboro, Georgia.

An aunt of Hunt has started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the family with funeral costs. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the family is also raising money for the long-term support of his son.

Timeline of the Kentel Hunt Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is charged in the death of Kentel Hunt?

Atlanta police charged Stephen Malone with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, armed robbery and theft by taking. He was arrested in Lawrenceville on October 1, 2026, the same day as the shooting. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Where did the shooting happen?

It happened in the parking lot of Royal Food Service, a food distributor in the 3700 block of Zip Industrial Boulevard SE in Atlanta, where Hunt had worked for nearly five years.

What was the motive?

Police have not publicly identified one. Early on, investigators described an ongoing dispute between two men, and Atlanta News First reported that police believed they were co-workers. No further detail has been released.

When is Kentel Hunt's funeral?

His obituary lists a celebration service at noon on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Greater St. Peter AME Church in Jonesboro, Georgia.

MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.

Sources

• FOX 5 Atlanta: family of Kentel Hunt speaks about his death (October 7, 2026)
• FOX 5 Atlanta: first report on the shooting and the arrest in Lawrenceville (October 1, 2026)
• Atlanta News First: police statement on the dispute and the charges (October 1, 2026)
• WSB Radio: Atlanta police identify the suspect and list the charges (October 1, 2026)
• Legacy Funeral Home & Life Center: obituary and service details for Kentel Gabriel Deshon Hunt
• GoFundMe: family fundraiser for Kentel Hunt's funeral costs