By Joe Johnson
Two recent University of Georgia graduates were seriously injured Sunday night when they were attacked by a knife-wielding man at an Athens convenience store, according to Athens-Clarke County police.
Police Sgt. K. Heard was in the area of North Milledge Avenue and Broad Street at about 9 p.m. when he heard a commotion at the Golden Pantry located at that intersection, police said.
Heard immediately responded to the store and was directed to a male, identified as Eric Keith Mitchell, 39, of Lee Street in Athens, who was in the store’s parking lot and armed with a razor knife, police said.
The officer detained Mitchell, and a subsequent investigation determined that Mitchell attacked two females, both recent UGA graduates, as they were leaving the store.
Both victims were seriously injured and were taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to police.
“Mitchell cited stress from COVID-19 concerns as the precipitating factor for the unprovoked attacks.” police said.
He was charged with two counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated battery and transported to the Clarke County Jail, where he was being held without bail as of Sunday afternoon.
Anyone who may have witnessed the attack or has information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Scott Black at (762) 400-7058.