Atlanta

2 shootings within minutes of each other likely connected, police say

ATLANTA — A gunman is on the loose after two separate shootings just minutes apart.

Investigators believe the same suspect exchanged gunfire with a group of men and then shot and robbed someone.

Investigators said the gunman had dreads and was the passenger in a dark colored Chevrolet driven by a woman.

The first shooting happened at a Shell gas station on Lee Street Friday morning.

A group of men riding in a pickup truck told Atlanta police officers a passenger in a car stared them down, and for no reason, pulled out a gun and starting shooting.

“They fired multiple shots at the victim, striking their vehicle at least two times,” Atlanta Police Capt. Reginald Moorman said.

We're working to talk to witnesses and continue to stay in contact with police about the search for the shooter, for updates on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 p.m.

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One of the men in the pickup truck pulled out his gun.

“The victims actually returned fire, shooting at the suspect as well. They don’t know if they actually struck the suspect,” Moorman said.

Then, 16 minutes later and less than two miles away, officers got another call about a robbery and a person shot on Campbellton Road.

“The suspect then took the victim’s cell phone and actually shot the victim anyway, so this was a very disturbing incident that occurred in close proximity so investigators are trying to make sure to determine if these two are related,” Moorman said.

Police believe the shootings could be related.

"We have a similar vehicle description and we have a similar suspect description," Moorman said.

The robbery victim was shot in the foot and is expected be OK, police said.