Investigators believe road rage led to two separate shootings in two days this week in metro Atlanta. And a third shooting was also reported on an interstate.
This week’s incidents were the latest in a string of shootings on area roadways this year, killing at least 16 people and injuring many others. Investigators believe many of those shootings, including the most recent two, can be attributed to angry drivers. In many cases, the shooters drive away before witnesses have enough information to help police track them down.
In DeKalb County, officers have investigated more than 80 suspected road-rage shootings this year, according to data released to Channel 2 Action News. In Atlanta, police have worked approximately 25 road shootings that left eight people dead. Road shootings have also been reported in other metro counties, including Gwinnett and Clayton.
On Tuesday, a driver of a Penske truck fired shots at another driver, causing a crash with other vehicles, according to Clayton County police.
Officers were called at 4:30 p.m. to Tara Boulevard and Flint Trail, where a woman said the driver of a truck had cut her off. When the woman pulled up next to the Penske truck, the truck’s driver began shooting at her, police said.
“The victim advised she shot back at the driver, causing the Penske truck to collide with her vehicle, sending it into the opposite lane of traffic, striking three other vehicles,” Clayton police posted on social media.
The truck’s driver left before officers arrived. No one was injured by the gunfire, but there were complaints of injuries in the crash. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
On Wednesday, a man fired a shot at another driver on I-20 in DeKalb County, according to police. This time, officers were able to make an arrest in the shooting. No injuries were reported.
The shooting was reported on I-20 near Panola Road. The suspect, identified as Wleh Nimely, was taken into custody without incident and charged with aggravated assault. He was booked into the DeKalb jail.
Earlier this week, a man was fatally shot on I-85 North near Metropolitan Parkway. When Atlanta police arrived on the scene about 4:20 a.m. Monday, officers found his car on the shoulder of the interstate. The man, whose name has not been released pending notification of family members, had multiple gunshot wounds and later died at a hospital.
ROADWAY SHOOTING DEATHS
At least 16 people have been killed after being shot this year while traveling on roadways in metro Atlanta and surrounding counties:
Jan. 4: Ernesto Anderson, 32, on I-20 at Capitol Avenue in Atlanta
Jan. 14: Dagamy Dembel, 48, on I-85 between North Druid Hills and Clairmont roads in DeKalb County
Jan. 24: Brandon Hamilton, 44, on Piedmont Road in Atlanta
Feb. 10: Jarmel Jowers, 29, in the southbound lanes of I-85 in Midtown Atlanta
Feb. 25: Solomon Howard, 33, on I-20 on the ramp to the Downtown Connector
March 5: Corey Detiege, 33, also known as rapper Chucky Trill, on I-85 in Gwinnett County
May 1: Ketravian Tyvon Cole, 20, on Ga. 316 in Barrow County
May 8: Dexter Calhoun, 63, on Emerald Avenue in southwest Atlanta
May 17: Mayco Rodrique, 37, on Ga. 400 in Atlanta
May 26: Sheikevious Young, 21, on I-285 near Church Street in DeKalb County
May 29: Carmen Cai Yi Lee, 25, on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Doraville
June 1: Alessander Bryant, 31, and Marquise Flores, 22, on I-285 in College Park
July 14: A man on Mango Court and Conley Road in Clayton County
July 17: Danzel Mullins, 34, on Cunningham Place in Atlanta
Sept. 13: A man on I-85 North near Metropolitan Parkway
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