Pellet gun shooter allegedly shot someone due to race

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga — A Sandy Springs man faces charges after allegedly shooting a Mexican native with a pellet gun. Police believe he targeted the man because of his ethnicity.

Aaron Anderson, 31, was charged with aggravated assault and reckless conduct stemming from the Saturday night incident at the Berkley Run Apartments on Glenridge Drive.

“A perpetrator had shot an Airsoft gun from the balcony towards the pool,” said Sgt. Ron Momon with the Sandy Springs Police Department. “He admitted to shooting at a tree. (He) didn’t admit to shooting the individual.”

Momon told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik that Anderson’s pellet gun struck a man in the back, causing minor injuries.

“He was very intoxicated,” said Momon.  “(He) made a couple comments about illegal immigrants and about him paying taxes.”

Police believe Anderson intentionally shot the victim, and that he fired randomly in the direction of others.

Petchenik went to the apartment listed on Anderson’s arrest report, and the 31-year-old’s father came to the door.  Anderson remained in the Fulton County Jail as of Monday afternoon, but his father, Cary Anderson, said he should be bonding out shortly.

“Aaron is basically a good person, but he’s had some very difficult things in his life,” said Cary.  “Aaron acted inappropriately, I have to do some long talks with him and see about getting him some treatment and some help.”

WSBTV