Police searching for Jeep that hit, killed teen standing near the sidewalk

ATLANTA — Police are searching for a yellow Jeep Wrangler that sped down a neighborhood street and hit and killed a teenager standing near the sidewalk.

Investigators also believe gunshots were fired.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden was in southwest Atlanta, where the crash happened around noon Sunday on Garibaldi Street in Mechanicsville in southwest Atlanta.

Surveillance video, which was captured by a neighbor’s doorbell camera, shows the Jeep barrel down the street as the sound of gunfire rings outs. Police said moments later, the Jeep struck and killed an 18-year-old man who was standing on the sidewalk. The victim’s name has not been released.

“Based on witnesses and some evidence, we were able to gather we know that the decedent was standing outside next to the sidewalk on the street, at which point, a yellow-colored Jeep Wrangler came up Girabaldi street at a high rate of speed and struck the victim," police said.

Seiden confirmed that homicide detectives are reviewing the footage to try to identify the two people in the Jeep. Police said they are working to determine the motive, but that the driver showed no regard for human life.

Neighbors told Seiden they ran for their lives, only to return to their home to find their cars and trucks littered with bullet holes.

Jason Dozier said he has seen a frightening trend in his community lately.

“I’ve been in the community for five years, and the last six months have been unnecessarily violent for residents on my street,” Dozier said. “It’s concerning.”

Residents told Seiden they are continuing to work with APD to try to find a way to curb the crime in the neighborhood. On Monday night, the Mechanicsville Civic Association is gathering for its monthly meeting and this latest incident will be at the top of their agenda.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Atlanta police or 911.

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