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Police: Shootings on metro Atlanta streets 'appear to be completely random'

Atlanta Police confirmed late Thursday that they'd covered the vehicle involved in a series of "random" shootings with the help of the Georgia State Patrol.

Police say a man is facing murder charges in a series of "completely random" shootings on metro Atlanta streets that left one person dead early Thursday..

The shootings happened over the course of three hours in the early morning hours on Thursday. All three involved men shot while driving. One of the victims, a 25-year-old father and husband-to-be, passed away.

Both of the surviving victims told people that a silver SUV pulled up next to them and began firing.

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Atlanta Police said a tip led investigators to the SUV thought to be involved in the shootings Thursday afternoon. Georgia State Patrol Troopers arrested 24-year-old Mikeal Callaway.

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Officers impounded the silver SUV, which they said had been been recently spray-painted black, and found a handgun inside. In addition, officers linked the vehicle to another burglary from Feb. 20 off Auburn Avenue.

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On Friday, DeKalb County Police said Callaway would be charged with murder in the death of a driver who was shot on Shropshire Lane. Police said the SUV drove up to the vehicle and fired "multiple rounds into the vehicle...striking the driver."

The driver, 24-year-old Nicholas Bankston, died at the scene. Family members said he'd been out with his family celebrating his birthday when the random vehicle pulled up next to him and fired the shots.

Atlanta Police said they'd charge Callaway with the other two shootings as well as the burglary on Auburn Avenue. Callaway is charged by Atlanta Police with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, burglary smash and grab, criminal damage to property, theft by taking and burglary in the first degree.

GSP officials said they are charging Callaway with attempted fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving and speeding 100 in a 35 mph zone. He made a first appearance before a magistrate court judge shortly after 9 p.m. Friday, where the judge issued him a Superior Court only bond. The next court date will be March 6.

Callaway has warrants out of Fulton county, College Park and Lexington County, S.C. According to Department of Corrections records, he was released from prison back in October.

The female passenger taken in custody with Callaway will not be charged, authorities said on Friday. Police said they do believe that Callaway was acting alone in the shootings.

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