By Joe Johnson
Athens-Clarke County police said they were investigating two shootings that occurred hours apart from each other in neighborhoods located about five miles apart in north Athens -- one an apparent drive-by that targeted an occupied home and another that wounded a man.
“Detectives are conducting a thorough investigation which will include whether or not the two incidents are related,” police Public Information Officer Geof Gilland said.
The first incident happened at about 6 a.m. when shooters opened fire on a house in the 400 block of Hollow Ridge Drive off Jefferson River Road, reportedly riddling the residence with nearly 30 bullets striking every room, including a bedroom occupied by a 1-year-old child. Neither the child nor any of the three adults in the house were injured, police said.
A vehicle occupied by multiple people reportedly was seen leaving the area.
The second shooting was reported later in the day Wednesday, at about 7:45 p.m., in the area of Tallassee and Lavender roads, police said.
Multiple callers reported hearing shots in the area and while officers were responding, they learned from Central Dispatch that a male had been shot.
Officers located victim, 21-year-old Dondre Mize of North Burson Avenue in Bogart, inside the doorway of a residence on Live Oak Drive, bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound to the leg, according to police.
Officers applied a tourniquet and National EMS transported Mize to the hospital.
Detectives and forensics officers responded to the scene and located shell casings and bullet hole in a vehicle and the residence where Mize was found, according to police.
There were no known suspects as of Thursday morning, police said.
The investigation of both shootings remained active on Thursday and police said that anyone with information about either of the incidents should contact Sgt. David Norris at (762) 400-7165 or david.norris@accgov.com.