A late-night emergency call in Lithonia turned grim on Sunday when officers searching for a reported shooting instead found a man critically beaten in the 2900 block of Athena Lane in DeKalb County. The victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, where he remains under treatment, according to authorities. Detectives have not released any information about a possible suspect as they work the scene and look for witnesses and evidence.
Police: Shooting Call Turns Into Assault Investigation
Officers were dispatched around 11:30 p.m. Sunday after a report of a person shot, but the case quickly shifted to an assault investigation once they arrived and found a man badly beaten in the 2900 block of Athena Lane, Atlanta News First reports. DeKalb County police told the outlet the attack grew out of an argument, and the victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The department said it is not yet releasing details about any suspect while investigators follow up on leads.
Where The Athena Lane Assault Took Place
Public records show the 2900 block of Athena Lane sits in Lithonia within DeKalb County’s 30038 ZIP code, according to Georgia Secretary of State filings and local property listings. The stretch of Athena Lane lies near Stonecrest and other east DeKalb neighborhoods and is covered by county patrol units. Residents and property managers in the area did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Sunday.
Violence Across DeKalb Already On Edge
The attack comes as DeKalb County continues to wrestle with a run of violent incidents this spring. In April, authorities tied together a series of early-morning shootings that left multiple people dead or injured, according to reporting by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. County officials and police say they are working to disrupt patterns of street violence and have repeatedly urged residents to share tips and video that could help solve cases.
How To Share Tips With Detectives
Anyone with information about what happened on Athena Lane is asked to contact the DeKalb County Police Department or use the agency’s online reporting tools, according to the department’s website. For non-emergy tips and anonymous information, investigators direct the public to the department’s public information pages and the Tip411 service listed by the DeKalb County Police. Detectives also urge residents with doorbell or other surveillance video from around the time of the assault to share it through official channels.
This is a developing story. We will update as police release more details, identify suspects, make arrests or file charges, and as new public records become available.
