A motorist was shot at and pursued by a driver he knew in a road rage incident Friday night in Cherokee County, authorities said.
A suspect was apprehended early Saturday after leading police on a chase into Cobb County, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Saturday. The victim was hospitalized, and the injuries were not life threatening, the sheriff’s release said.
The incident began on Highway 92 when one motorist cut off another one, and the drivers began arguing, authorities said. The driver of a white van fired several shots at the other motorist, who was driving a black SUV. The SUV driver then took off driving down Highway 92, toward a sheriff’s precinct office.
Investigators say the shooting suspect followed the victim to the precinct and fired more shots.
“We believe the victim came here thinking there may have been some deputies here at the precinct or getting the fire department to get someone to come out to help,” Cherokee County Deputy Joshua Watkins told Channel 2 Action News.
The victim eventually crashed the SUV outside a Hardee’s restaurant, and the shooting suspect actually chased the victim through the restaurant. A Channel 2 Action News video shows the shooting suspect holding a gun while inside the Hardee’s.
The suspect, Ronald Beswick-Diaz, 34, is in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. He’s charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm near a roadway, aggressive driving, aggravated stalking, terroristic threats and acts, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The victim, Joseph Parker, 36, had injuries to his leg, neck and arm, the sheriff’s release said. He was taken to Kennestone Hospital.
Authorities determined through interviews that the men knew each other.
About the Author
