Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Authorities: Woman sets fire to bedroom, leaves man in wheelchair

Wheelchair-bound Leon Young (left) was left in a burning house on Ray Street in Riverdale on Sunday. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
Wheelchair-bound Leon Young (left) was left in a burning house on Ray Street in Riverdale on Sunday. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
By Ellen Eldridge
Nov 29, 2016

A woman faces arson and aggravated assault charges after Clayton County sheriff’s deputies say she set fire to a bedroom and left a man in a wheelchair behind.

Geana Shunta Wright, 23, was arrested Monday after allegedly setting fire to a bedroom on Ray Street in Riverdale and running out of the house, Deputy Chief David Vazquez said.

Leon Young, who Vazquez said is a wheelchair-bound relative of Wright’s, called 911 after getting out of the house with help from neighbor Joy Wyly, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.

VIDEO: Neighbor rescues man in wheelchair from burning home

Wyly said she heard noises and saw smoke coming from the home and pulled Young out.

Wright has a history of mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to a Mattie's Call issued by Clayton County police in August.

Wright has been held at the Clayton County Jail since her arrest, officials said.

About the Author

Ellen Eldridge
More Stories

Keep Reading

A woman was shot in the head Friday afternoon outside a CVS in Loganville, according to police. (Courtesy Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Woman dies after being shot in head outside Loganville CVS, police say

Store temporarily closed during police investigation, officials say.

Fire gutted a DeKalb art studio. Creatives are now picking up the pieces.

A Wednesday blaze at South River Art Studios ravaged one of three warehouses on the property where about 35 artists create and store all their supplies.

$980M Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Newnan

The player matched all six numbers during a Friday evening drawing and won a jackpot worth an estimated $980 million. It has an estimated cash value of $452.2 million.

The Latest

A woman was shot in the head Friday afternoon outside a CVS in Loganville, according to police. (Courtesy Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Woman dies after being shot in head outside Loganville CVS, police say

Gridlock Guy: ATL DOT asks to please pardon its progress

Fire gutted a DeKalb art studio. Creatives are now picking up the pieces.

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.