17-year-old shot while walking on Fairburn Road in SW Atlanta
A chilling incident occurred on the afternoon of February 20 on the 400 block of Fairburn Road, SW Atlanta, near Benjamin E. Mays Drive, as a 17-year-old boy fell victim to random gunfire. Atlanta police responded to a person shot call at approximately 4:46 p.m. The teenage victim was discovered with a gunshot wound, and preliminary findings suggest that he was unexpectedly caught up in gunfire while walking in the area.
The Investigation
The cash-strapped teen was alert and breathing when emergency services arrived at the scene and immediately arranged his transfer to a local hospital for urgent medical attention. Details about his medical condition are currently undisclosed. Investigators from the Aggravated Assault Unit have taken over the case, conducting a rigorous investigation to piece together the circumstances leading to this incident.
The law enforcement authority calls for witnesses or anyone possessing relevant information, pictures, or video footage regarding the incident to come forward and share them with the investigators to assist in the pursuit of justice.
Recent Spate of Violence
This unfortunate event marks yet another entry in the recent spate of violence marring the streets of Atlanta. In another unrelated incident which took place on Monday night at Dalton park, an 18-year-old was apprehended and placed under arrest for allegedly stabbing another teenager six times. A separate incident saw a man being taken into custody while attempting to break into a Southwest Atlanta home as officers were in hot pursuit of a different suspect.
Another incident unfolded in Haralson County where a man was arrested for senior citizen abuse and theft after a family lodged a formal complaint. More recently, Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis, has drawn the attention of the public eye about an alleged cash payment incident at a Napa Valley winery by one of their employees.
Call for Public Vigilance
With the string of crimes that have been occurring, authorities urge the public to maintain a heightened level of awareness and safety. Individuals are encouraged to report any suspicious activities immediately to law enforcement agencies. The police are also requesting the public’s help in surveillance, asking anyone with surveillance cameras on their properties to register with the local police department.
This is a rapidly developing situation and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.