Athens man stabbed in neck in dispute about shoes

Ferris Elsworth Grady Jr.

By Joe Johnson

An Athens man was stabbed at a westside apartment complex Wednesday by someone who accused him of stealing his shoes, Athens-Clarke County police said.

When officers responded to an 11:19 p.m. report of a stabbing at University Oaks Apartments they located a 41-year-old Athens man suffering from a stab wound to the neck, according to police.

The victim was transported by EMS to the hospital and police said that he was expected to survive his injuries.

An investigation by officers and detectives identified the offender as Ferris Elsworth Grady Jr., 43, of Athens, who was located and arrested at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday in a room at the nearby Country Inn & Suites hotel on Old Epps Bridge Road.

Grady, who was booked into the county jail with a Pineview Drive address, was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and possession of methamphetamine.

“Grady confronted the victim because he thought that the victim was responsible for stealing a pair of Grady's shoes,” Athens-Clarke County police Lt. Shaun Barnett said.

However, Barnett added, “We have nothing to indicate that the victim was responsible for the theft of shoes that Grady was accusing him of.”