Authorities in Georgia said a woman carrying a gun shot a man who was attacking a sheriff’s deputy who had just recently given him a ride to a gas station on Tuesday, Fox 5 reported.
Sheriff Jeff Johnson told Fox 5 that 52-year-old Sgt. Randy Harkness gave 30-year-old Justin Alan Foster a ride to the gas station, as well as some money. While trying to give him money, Foster began punching Harkness and trying to grab his gun.
An unidentified woman who watched the assault got out of her car, pulled out her gun and fired at Foster.
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“She shot off, a round. The guy got off the police officer and she shot another round and he was running that way I think, there was three shots,” gas station owner Aseem Kahn told Fox 5.
After getting hit at least once, Foster ran across the street to a McDonald’s parking lot where he assaulted an elderly woman.
Sharon Cheek, a shift manager at the McDonald’s, told Fox 5 that it seemed Foster was trying to steal the woman’s car.
“He told her, looked at her, and told her she was dead, and then punched her square in the nose […],” Cheek said.
Bystanders in the area subdued Foster until cops arrived.
Sheriff Johnson said that because of the woman’s actions, she saved Harkness’ life.
“I truly believe she’s a hero. I believe she thankfully saved this officer’s life,” Johnson said.
Harkness was taken to the hospital with injuries to the neck and head. The elderly woman was also taken to the hospital. Both have since been released.
According to Dawson County News, Foster has been charged with two counts of battery, three counts of hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, aggravated assault with the intent to rob, aggravated assault against a peace officer, aggravated battery against a peace officer, obstruction, attempted removal of a weapon from a public official, robbery by force and aggravated assault with intent to murder.
