Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Video of Suspects in Grant Park Shooting; City Offers Up to $25K for Information

Crime Stoppers Atlanta has $2,500 reward for information leading to arrest and indictment. Mayor ups reward to $25,000 in Grant Park shooting and the shooting death of Patrick Cotrona in East Atlanta.

GRANT PARK — Atlanta police on Wednesday released surveillance video of two men who are wanted for questioning in connection with the May 17 shooting of Saman Balkhanian on Georgia Avenue near Grant Street.

Balkhanian, 22, was walking home from an Atlanta Braves game when he said he was attacked by two men.

In the robbery, his assailants shot him in the face and subsequently blinded in one eye.

Find out what's happening in East Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The video, taken from the Ark of Salvation Church on Georgia Avenue, shows Balkhanian walking and two men following him. A later portion of the video shows the men running.

Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to their arrest and indictment.

Find out what's happening in East Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition, the Grant Park Neighborhood Association added a $500 reward on top of the reward amount for a total of $2,500.

"The GPNA is committed to helping find the culprit contributing $500 to the Crime Stopper reward," GPNA said in a statement.

Separately, Crime Stoppers also is offering a $2,000 reward in the May 25 shooting death of Patrick Cotrona, the East Atlanta man who was killed in a robbery.

And late Wednesday, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement that increased the reward amount to $25,000 for information leading to arrests and convictions in the Balkhanian and Cotrona shootings.

Citizens are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers with any information, 404.577.TIPS (8477). They will remain anonymous.

Individuals looking to make their own donations toward the reward fund may do so at Crime Stoppers' website directly at this link: http://www.crimestoppersatlanta.org/BecomeaSupporter-303. This fund is for both the shooting cases and you need to specify if your donation is for a specific case, split between both or either. You also may contact Miguel Sepulveda, director of Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta directly at 404.586.0180 or msepulveda@atlantapolicefoundation.org.


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