Two suspects shot a man four times with a BB gun during an attempted armed robbery early Sunday at a Columbus island motel, according to police.
The victim told police the men approached him as he was sitting in his 1991 Buick Regal sedan outside his room at the 1001 Island Road Travelers Deluxe Motel at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Police Public Information Officer Terrie Songer said the suspects pulled the gun and told the victim to empty his pockets. When the suspects found he didn”t have anything of value on him, they had him show them to his room, which was occupied by his girlfriend.
Inside the room, the victim told his girlfriend to call 911, after which one of the suspects shot the victim in the face, arm, side and back, Songer said. The victim”s injuries did not require medical attention.
As the suspects fled the scene, Songer continued, they also shot out the rear driver”s side window of the victim”s car.
Neither of the suspects — who were described by police as black, dark skinned, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and possibly driving a gray Ford Taurus — were in custody as of 10 a.m. today.
Songer said police are investigating whether the suspects in this shooting could be responsible for the May 23 armed robbery and BB gun shooting of Zachary”s waitress, Courtney Fletcher.
Fletcher was shot in the eye at about 3 a.m. when she and a co-worker, Summer Stovall, stopped to help two men with apparent car trouble. When they got out of the car, one of the men pulled a BB gun.
Fletcher Tased one of the men, and was shot several times.
Anyone with information about the incidents should call Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-8151. An anonymous tip that leads to an arrest could be worth up to $1,000.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.