Social media 'trash talk' leads to fight, shooting of 2 Athens teens: Police

A “denigrating” post on social media led to what police said was a fight and the shooting of two teens Tuesday afternoon in east Athens.

The shootings occurred about 1:25 p.m. near the intersection of East Carver Drive and Cone Drive in the Nellie B neighborhood, according to Athens-Clarke police.

The initial caller to police dispatch reported “10 shots heard,” “people were running” and “a vehicle sped off.”

Police arrived and met with a 17-year-old with a gunshot wound to his leg. As police began blocking off a crime scene, an Acura car pulled up with multiple bullet holes in the windows and windshield, according to the report.

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The 16-year-old driver told police he had been shot in the back during the confrontation.

The wounds were not life-threatening, but both youths were taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, police said.

Police determined that an argument had occurred due to another person “trash talking” about one of the teens on Instagram.

The victims reported they came to the area to confront that person and after a fight broke out, “they started shooting at each other.”

Police said the shooter of the teens fled the scene on foot. Police have not released a name of a possible suspect, who has not been apprehended. Athens-Clarke police and University of Georgia K-9 units responded to search for the suspect and weapons, but no weapons were found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Paul Johnson at (762) 400-7060.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens shooting of teens happened over 'trash talk' on Instagram: Police