A driver shot multiple times on an Atlanta interstate Friday morning believes he was followed by the shooter for miles after making a simple mistake in traffic.
The victim, who is being treated at a hospital, told investigators he was tailed on I-85 from College Park into Atlanta before the shooter pulled up beside him and opened fire on his vehicle. He stopped just south of the North Druid Hills exit and called 911 shortly before 3:30 a.m., according to Atlanta police Sgt. Carlos Maldonado.
“He believed he was being followed by a vehicle, which he inadvertently may have cut off when he entered the highway in College Park,” Maldonado said in a videotaped statement. “He said that the vehicle continued to follow him, all the way well into the city of Atlanta, to the point where he started to become aware of what was going on.”
The driver continued past his destination, but the shooter ultimately caught up to him near Buford Highway, Maldonado said. According to Channel 2 Action News, the victim’s silver sedan took at least six bullets to its driver’s side.
The man was said to be stable Friday afternoon.
Police closed multiple lanes of I-85 North while they investigated Friday morning, but all travel lanes were reopened two hours later. A suspect has not been identified.
Maldonado urged motorists to call 911 if they believe they are being followed, especially over long distances.
“The best thing to do is call 911 and stay on the phone with the dispatcher, so that way officers can be directed to the general vicinity of where you are,” he said.
Anyone with information on Friday’s shooting is asked to come forward. 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.
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