He told police he was shot as he walked along an Atlanta road Wednesday morning.
But a man who claims to be named Rico Holmes neglected to tell investigators he had pushed a child down and took her sunglasses before he was shot, Atlanta police Sgt. Greg Lyon said. Holmes also had a confrontation with a woman and her son, Lyon said.
While investigating the shooting near Fulton Industrial Boulevard, officers learned the same suspect had been involved in the other altercations. But it was not known late Wednesday if the shooting was related to the two prior incidents, Lyon said.
The string of events began when Holmes approached a woman and her son around 8:40 a.m., police said.
“Mr. Holmes attempted to engage in conversation with the woman, but became angry and grabbed her when she refused his advances,” Lyon said in an emailed statement. “The woman and her son were able to run to their apartment.”
Holmes then allegedly approached two siblings at a bus stop at Old Gordon Road and MLK Jr. Drive, according to police.
“The older victim stated that she stepped in front of her younger sister to protect her,” Lyon said. “Mr. Holmes told the victim to give him her sunglasses, which were hanging from her shirt. She told him ‘no’ so he shoved her to the ground and snatched them from her. She was not injured.”
Minutes later, Holmes was shot. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his left calf, according to police. His injury is not believed to be life-threatening.
On Wednesday afternoon, Holmes was charged with two counts of simple battery, Lyon said. Once his true identification is known, Holmes also will be charged with robbery.
The investigation continues for the alleged shooter, who police say is said to have been in a small, burgundy car, Lyon said.
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