Dunwoody man survives gunfire after interrupting car break-in

Violent attempted car theft caught on camera

Dunwoody police are searching for the men who opened fire on a car owner after he caught them trying to steal his vehicle outside his apartment. The man was not hurt and spoke exclusively with FOX 5’s Eric Perry about the encounter.

DUNWOODY, Ga. - A Dunwoody man says he’s thankful to be alive after gunfire erupted outside his apartment early Tuesday morning during an attempted car theft.

What we know:

The Dunwoody Police Department said a man was asleep in his in his apartment on Lake Ride Lane Tuesday morning when he saw his vehicle lights come on through his bedroom window. The man walked outside about 12: 10 a.m. and saw two people, one inside his car and one standing outside of it, he later told officers. The man outside the car then shot at the car owner five times, police said.

The man was not hit by a bullet, but one bullet went into a window and door jam next him, sending debris flying. Some of the debris struck the car owner in the chest.

He was treated by EMS, but did not go to the hospital.

What they're saying:

"I was here and it went through the window and the debris hit my chest," Jackson said, pointing to the damage at his apartment. He wasn’t struck by a bullet, but debris from one shot cut his chest. EMS treated him at the scene, but he did not go to the hospital.

Ring camera footage captured the bullets flying toward Jackson’s doorway. "It’s crazy looking at the Ring footage," he said. "I was inches away from it being a completely different story, so it’s just a blessing to still be here."

Jackson said he noticed his car lights were on but the engine wasn’t running. "Less than five seconds I poke my head out the door and they started shooting," he recalled. He showed where bullets pierced his windows and car hood, and even traveled through a neighboring apartment.

His mother, Mildred Smith-Jackson, said she was upstairs when the gunfire started. "It just brings tears to my eyes because I could have been in a situation where I could have lost my son," she said. "I can’t even say that I’m angry because my son is still here. He’s still walking, talking, and in good health."

Jackson said the attack felt senseless. "You walking around here with no morals and you’re willing to take someone’s life over something materialistic," he said. "It’s unacceptable."

What we don't know:

Police believe at least two men were involved in the shooting. They have not released descriptions of the suspects.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Detective Tim Waldron at Tim.Waldron@dunwoodyga.gov.