Police: Man charged for shooting driver fleeing from officers
COVINGTON, Ga. - A man is charged after police say he shot a driver fleeing from officers, according to Covington Police.
Covington Police say 46-year-old Marcus Pitts was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after Saturday's shooting at Newton Plaza.
"We were not in pursuit of the vehicle, just trying to catch back up with it in order to initiate a traffic stop," said Captain Craig Treadwell with Covington Police.
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Police say officers responded to calls of a white SUV driving recklessly on Highway 36. Upon arrival, officers spotted the SUV, driven by 33-year-old Terence Lennox, but before they could catch up with it, the SUV crashed into a vehicle near Pace Street and Highway 278.
Police said Lennox got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Police say Pitts witnessed him fleeing the crash and followed Lennox in his vehicle. Authorities said Pitts blocked Lennox in at Newton Plaza and then shot him. Police said the shooting was not justified.
"You have to be in fear of serious bodily injury or death in order to use deadly force to protect yourself," said Captain Treadwell. "It appears at this point during the investigation that those two specific points did not exist."
FOX 5's Nathalie Pozo spoke with Lennox's family on Sunday who gave an update on his condition.
"He is fighting to survive a gun shot wound to the back lower portion of his skull," said Greg Lennox, the victim's step-father. "The bullet exploded on impact of skull sending fragments into the brain. He is responding but still can't breath on his own."
Lennox remains in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital after undergoing surgery Saturday afternoon.
"Thank God for Grady. They are saving his life and said he is so very lucky to still be with us. Terence has never harmed a sole," he said.
Pitts is currently being held at the Newton County Detention Center. Pitts' family declined to comment to FOX 5.