The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On video, gunman flees after exec shot

- By Chelsea Prince chelsea.prince@ajc.com

Police have released new video that appears to showa shooter fire rounds into the air and then turn his back, moments before a wounded music executive loses control of his truck and crashes into a storefront in Atlanta’s West End.

Tobias Thomas, 42, was hit in the back of the head by a stray bullet in the 800 block of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard on Thursday night, according to police. He took out a utility pole and drove onto the sidewalk before he hit a man on a bicycle.

Thomas and the cyclist, identified as 38-year- old Oumar Dia, are now recovering from serious injuries.

Thomas is a father of five with a baby on the way, Channel 2 Action News reported. His fiancée, Shaakira Krasenics, is nine months pregnant.

Krasenics told the news station that family members have not left Thomas’ side since he was admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital. He is still in critical but stable condition.

According to an online bio, he has served as an A&R for numerous labels and assisted in developing rapper Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group label.

Thomas is making some progress but has a long way to go. “Slowly but steady, he’ll get there,” Krasenics said.

She told Channel 2Thomas had just picked up food and was on his way home around 9:45 p.m. Thursday when he was shot.

In the surveillan­ce video, the alleged shooter starts running after Thomas’ truck crashes.

According to Atlanta police, he then got into awaiting black Toyota Avalon with Missouri tag C N 3 Z 4 M and took off west on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard.

Investigat­ors are now asking for the public’s help to identify and locate him.

“The suspect is described as a black male wearing a black hoodie, black andwhite basketball shorts, and black and white tennis shoes,” Sgt. John Chafee said in a statement.

Police believe the man fired shots as a warning or a means of intimidati­on after confrontin­g two other men outside a shop near the Mall at West End. Thomas, police told Channel 2 Action News, was “just an unfortunat­e victim of the circumstan­ces.”

The video shows the shooter approach the twomen. After a moment, the two go inside a store, but the gunman stays outside and begins firing.

“And he fired a few shots, wasn’t even looking (in) the direction the weapon was pointed,” Atlanta police Capt. Andrew Senzer told Channel 2.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the manor has any informatio­n inthe case to contact Crime Stoppers. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000 by contacting 404-577-8477, texting informatio­n to 274637 or visiting crimestopp­ersatlanta.org.

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