Man reportedly shot at in Athens carjacking

By Joe Johnson

Athens-Clarke County police said they were investigating a carjacking that reportedly occurred early Wednesday morning at a hotel located off Atlanta Highway.

The victim, a 20-year-old man from Spartanburg, SC, said that when he entered his vehicle at Candlewood Suites on Classic Road at about 6 a.m. he was approached by a man armed with a gun, according to police.

The suspect forced his way into the car, but the victim was able to escape with the vehicle’s key still in his pocket.

“The vehicle was a push-to-start vehicle so the suspect was not able to get very far once the vehicle was out of range of the key,” said Lt. Shaun Barnett, ACCPD’s public information officer.

“As the victim fled the vehicle, the suspect fired one shot but the victim was not struck. The victim ran into the hotel at which point 911 was called,” Barnett said.

The suspect was described as a black male in his mid 30's who was about five feet, six inches tall and weighed about 180 pounds, according to police.

Police asked for anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Michael Carroll at michael.carroll@accgov.com or (762) 400-7098 or Detective Scott Black at scott.black@accgov.com or (762) 400-7058.