Mother takes to Internet, social media to find answers in Marine's attack

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The mother of a local Marine attacked and left in a parking lot said her son may not wake up.

It has been more than a week since someone severely beat Zach Gamble, 34.

Gamble's mother, Tina Robbins, said she's not giving up and is taking to the Internet and social media to find clues.

Robbins shared a letter Gamble wrote to his family after he was deployed to Iraq.

"In the moment I'll right history," Robbins read. "I'll help preserve our American way of life, signed, your son Zach."

The Marine served two tours overseas only to return home and become the victim of a vicious attack after leaving a party.

"I think that someone had his attention and someone else came behind him, and he took a horrific blow to the back of the head," Robbins said. "This is no different than if someone would have come in and shot him point blank with a gun."

Robbins has been at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital around the clock at her son's side.

She said his condition is grave and said an MRI shows that he may have had a third stroke on Monday.

Tuesday, more than a week since the attack, Robbins said she was saddened by the lack of leads and witnesses in his case.

"Zach is a great person and he fought for our country not once, but twice," she said. "He has a little boy that's 7 and, you know, like most moms, he's the light of my life."

On March 25, Cobb County police said Gamble was found in the parking lot of the Concord Crossing Apartments in Smyrna.

They were called to the scene after a cab driver called 911 after accidentally hitting him as he lay unconscious.

Police said Gamble was asked to leave a party at one of the apartments earlier that morning. They said witnesses reported a loud argument outside just moments before the attack.

Robbins hopes that those at the party will speak up and has taken to the Internet to keep the investigation going.

"On Change.org, you can sign a petition to keep this alive with Cobb County until we find out exactly what happened," Robbins said.

The family has also started a Facebook page: "Justice for Zach Gamble."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.

WSBTV