A 29-year-old man in DeKalb County, Georgia, shot his uncle dead during a fight over a honey bun. The incident happened on June 19, 2025, at around 11:22 a.m. on Loveless Drive in the Ellenwood community, leaving a family in shambles and a community struggling to understand the senseless brutality.
According to DeKalb County police reports, the altercation began when Michael Crowley discovered that his uncle, 48-year-old Roderick Crowley, had eaten his honey bun from the refrigerator. Michael initially confronted his uncle about the missing snack and requested money to replace it. The situation quickly escalated when Roderick allegedly began hitting Michael in the back of the head, despite being aware of Michael’s history of seizures and previous brain surgery.
Despite being advised by a witness to leave the house and calm down, Michael returned to the residence and allegedly fired four shots at his uncle. Roderick was struck multiple times in the chest and arms, dying at the scene before medical help could arrive.
The case is further complicated by Michael Crowley’s medical history. Police reports indicate that Michael had undergone brain surgery and suffered from seizures. This background became particularly relevant when Roderick allegedly struck him in the head, knowing about these pre-existing conditions.
Following the shooting, Michael Crowley called 911 himself to report the incident and informed dispatchers that he was hiding in nearby woods. When officers arrived, they conducted a search and found Michael in the wooded area. A police dog was later used to locate the weapon used in the shooting.
Michael was arrested and charged with malice murder. Court records show that he was released on bond and waived his right to an initial hearing. The incident has garnered significant media attention, with radio personality Charlamagne Tha God addressing it on The Breakfast Club. He gave Michael Crowley the “Donkey of the Day” designation, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and how extreme heat can exacerbate emotional volatility. Charlamagne remarked, “A moment of anger can ruin a lifetime of peace.”
The shooting occurred during a particularly hot period, with commentary suggesting that high temperatures can contribute to increased aggression and poor decision-making. This environmental factor, combined with Michael’s medical history and underlying family tensions, created a volatile situation that ended in tragedy.
A similar incident occurred in 2018 in Tennessee, where 18-year-old Marcus Jones was shot and killed by his half-brother Jerome Howse over a honey bun and a small amount of money.
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The loss of Roderick Crowley’s life over such a minor disagreement has left a family devastated and a community searching for answers.
