Suspect arrested after randomly attacking 2 people, leaving man with a broken back, police say

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GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — On Monday, Duluth police told Channel 2 Action News they arrested Warren Crayton, 37, on Friday, for randomly attacking and injuring two people last week, on the same day in the same area before running away from a shopping center.

Last Tuesday, a 16-year-old leaving a Kroger told police that a stranger punched him in the face, leaving him bloodied in front of the store on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road around 4 p.m.

About an hour later, Duluth police say the same suspect brutally assaulted a man working at a car wash at the nearby Shell gas station. The violent attack left the victim with a broken back, according to police.

His family says he remains in the hospital and it may be months until he can walk again.

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Police shared surveillance video of the incident with Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson. It showed Crayton, wearing a blue shirt, kicking the victim repeatedly before running away.

Police do not have a clear motive for what led to the attacks. The victims say they were blindsided by the violence.

“I look up and next thing I know he punched me and I’m just bloody in my face,” said the 16-year-old victim over the phone. “I couldn’t really see anything because there was a lot of blood in my face.”

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Witnesses and victims told police the suspect may have been going through a mental episode or experiencing the effects of drugs.

“Running around punching people,” said the teen victim. “It’s like crazy. I feel like he was on some type of drug.”

Police said Crayton is facing several charges, including Aggravated Assault, with additional charges expected to follow as the investigation continues.

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