Spiritual young man’s life ended in street outside Athens church

By Joe Johnson

On the morning of December 18th, 26-year-old Anargyros “Cole” Mantas was in the parking lot of Redeemer Presbyterian Church on Pulaski Street when something caused him to walk out into the intersection of West Broad Street to speak with occupants of a car that stopped for a red light.

The flashes of gunshots from inside the car are seen on surveillance footage followed by the sight of Mantas falling mortally wounded to the ground,

He died of multiple gunshot wounds after being transported to the hospital by ambulance

The alleged killer was arrested two days later in iNewton County, where 22-year-old Jamarioun Makel Clark was taken into custody on charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in the commission of certain felonies,

Authorities have not disclosed any possible motives for why Clark would want to kill Mantas, an Athens resident who was originally from Massachusetts,

His obituary described Mantas as a deeply spiritual young man who had been a member of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta and later attended North River Baptist Church in Roswell, where he was active in their youth group. During his college years, he found solice at the New England Peace Pagoda gardens in Massachusetts.

Cole attended Cambridge High School. He received his associates degree from Bergen College in New Jersey and continued his studies at UMass - Amherst in Massachusetts. He was passionate about human rights issues, PTSD and alternative medicine, mental health issues and endangered species.

Mantas was said to be known for his kindness and willingness to help someone in need. His goals were related to law and justice and potentially advocating for children in the court system.

Family members suggested that memorial donations be made in his name to victims service organizations in Massachusetts and Georgia, including Project Safe in Athens.