Two Atlanta Gay Pride Attendees Shot in the Head 'Execution Style'

Two men who had attended the recent Gay Black Pride celebration in Atlanta, Georgia were found dead in an apartment in that city, having each been shot in the head "execution style," according to online reports.

One victim, Samuel Blizzard Jr., 21, was a student at Georgia State University, reported a Sept. 7 story at Examiner.com. The other was Calvin Streater, 26, a local resident.

Authorities theorize that the victims knew their killer and allowed him access to the residence, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sept. 6. Police spokesperson Maj. Keith Meadows told the local media that "both victims in this case were here for the Black Gay Pride festivities over the weekend," and said that investigators were trying to "retrace their steps" prior to the killings.

Authorities said it was unclear whether "their sexual orientation played a role in the shooting deaths."

The killings bring to three the number of persons associated with Black Gay Pride who have been shot and killed in recent weeks. One of the event's organizers, gay nightclub owner Durand Robinson, was shot to death in what authorities theorized was a carjacking, according to an Aug. 26 article at Black Voices.

The 14th edition of Black Gay Pride took place in Atlanta between Sept. 1-6 this year. The gathering was billed as "The world's largest Pride celebration for black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people," and featured an array of events, including a "candlelight vigil for those who have passed."

Gun violence marred San Francisco's Pride festivities earlier this summer, resulting in the death of one person and the wounding of two others. The shootings occurred in the Castro during the "Pink Saturday" party on June 26.