DEL.ICIO.USUpdated: 4:15 p.m. May 06, 2009
Tech student critical after carjacking, shooting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
A Georgia Tech student shot during a carjacking remained in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit early Wednesday, hospital officials said.
Patrick Whaley, 22, was shot and two other people robbed during a carjacking at an off-campus apartment complex.
Patrick Whaley, 22, was shot once in the lower back.
Whaley was shot once in the lower back Monday night as he and two other people walked out of the Tivoli Tenside Apartments at 1000 Northside Dr., according to police reports. The apartment complex is near Georgia Tech, where Whaley studies mechanical engineering.
Whaley and a couple had just exited an elevator and walked into the apartment complex’s parking deck when three men accosted them, according to Georgia Tech. Two of the men had guns.
The suspects then forced the victims to the ground, while they took their wallets, purses and car keys. One of the suspects fired a shot, after Whaley refused to get in a van with them, police said. He was struck in the back.
Two of the suspects then climbed into a gold minivan and sped off. The third suspect left in the couple’s Audi, police said.
A Georgia Tech patrol officer, unaware of the carjacking, saw the stolen getaway car commit a traffic violation and attempted to stop the car, campus officials said.
The suspect then ditched the car and ran north on Curran Street between Tenth and Fourteenth streets. Police searched the area, but were unable to find the suspects.
The suspects are described as three black males.
One had a light complexion and was wearing a baby blue long-sleeve shirt, khaki pants.
Another had a light to medium complexion and was wearing a black T-shirt and hoodie with a skull on it.
No description was available for the third suspect.
Whaley, who friends call Pat, is from Cumming, where his parents and younger sister live. A Facebook group page created for Whaley said he was in intensive care “fighting for his life.”
About three hours after the carjacking, campus officials emailed all students and faculty an alert about the shooting, Georgia Tech spokesman Matt Nagel said.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Patrick Whaley and his family as he recovers,” he said. “The campus police department is assisting Atlanta Police with the investigation of this incident.”
Campus officials advised students to walk in well-lit area, walk in a group, be alert of their surroundings and report all suspicious activity. They advised students to use the campus transportation system, which offers free rides from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Staff reporter Chip Towers contributed to this report.
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