A man playing a gambling machine inside a northwest Atlanta gas station was shot Tuesday morning in what police believe was an attempted robbery.
The victim was struck multiple times inside the Citgo station on the corner of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Hightower Place but was expected to survive, according to Atlanta police. Investigators believe he tried to fight back when another man pointed a gun and demanded his belongings.
“The victim had just won a significant amount of money a day prior,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. “A physical dispute ensued between the victim and suspect which resulted in the suspect shooting the victim multiple times.”
The man was alert when police and emergency medics arrived about 12:20 a.m., and he was taken to a hospital. Investigators are looking into the possibility he was targeted, the spokesperson said.
Since Sunday, Atlanta police have investigated a robbery that resulted in a shooting outside a Midtown restaurant, and a man was killed outside a Peachtree Corners gas station when a group of people attempted to take his vehicle. Bradley Coleman, a 29-year-old father and football coach from Norcross, was shot when he also tried to fight back, according to Gwinnett County police.
The suspect in Tuesday’s shooting, who was not identified, ran from the Citgo before police arrived. The incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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