Man shot at Athens home; police seek public’s help case
Published 5:07 pm Friday, August 14, 2015
- One Athens police officer, far left, stretches crime-scene tape around an Athens home following a shooting Friday afternoon while another officer talks on his cellphone. The victim is recovering. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Athens Police Department.
A man shot at a home off Hardy Street in Athens Friday afternoon will recover from his injuries but Athens police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the shooter.
“The victim told us he was entering a friend’s residence when he heard a couple of shots,” Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said. “He said he didn’t know he had been shot until he felt blood running down his leg.”
City workers telephoned police to say they had heard shots fired about 12:30 p.m. in the area of Hardy Street, Johnson said Friday afternoon. Workers told Officer Brandon McCusiston, who responded to the scene, they heard a couple of shots and, a short time later, saw a gray car leaving the area, Johnson said.
“We then received a call from the Athens-Limestone Hospital emergency room notifying us that a man had come in with a gunshot wound,” the chief said.
A single bullet struck the finger of 37-year-old Vantella Malone and then entered the back of his upper leg, Johnson said.
As of late Friday, the investigation into the case continued, Johnson said.
Anyone with information into the shooting is asked to call Investigator Bret Constable at 256-233-8700.
