A road-rage incident in Newton County ended with a teenager frantically calling his mother as a man held him and his friends at gunpoint, authorities said.
The man, 56-year-old Patrick Garrett, now faces charges, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Za’reon Greer, 18, told authorities that he was driving his friends on Salem Road in Covington when the incident began, Channel 2 reported. Garrett thought his vehicle had been rear-ended at a stoplight by Greer, so he chased down the teens, Newton County deputies said.
Credit: Newton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Newton County Sheriff's Office
Greer told the news station that Garrett followed him onto Oak Hill Road, forcing him off the road and into a tree in front of a subdivision. When he got out of the totaled vehicle, which belonged to his mom, Greer said what he saw terrified him.
“I get out to look at my damages, and I looked back and there he is behind me with a gun pointed at our faces,” Greer told Channel 2.
The teen pulled out his phone to call his mom, Stacy Greer, who he tried to get to intervene. He also began to record what was happening.
“He’s got a gun, ma!” the teen is heard yelling in the video. “Can you tell him to put the gun down, please?”
Stacy Greer said that call, which took place about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10, immediately had her thinking the worst case scenario was about to play out.
“I’m thinking this guy is going to kill my son,” she told Channel 2.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
At some point, someone called 911 to report the crash, and a deputy stepped in and arrested Garrett, the news station reported. Garrett was charged with two misdemeanors: simple assault and pointing a gun at another.
He has since been released from the county’s jail on a $4,600 bond, according to records.
No charges or citations were filed against the teens. Deputies found no damage to Garrett’s vehicle, Channel 2 reported.
