Zarren Rasool Hamilton Garner, 20-years-old, has been identified as the suspect who has been arrested and charged in connection to the armed robbery and shooting of 22-year-old University of Georgia lacrosse player Tate Prezzano.
What Happened & Who is Zarren Garner?
According to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Prezzano and another unidentified UGA student were robbed at gunpoint by Garner while waiting at a bus stop in the 2100 block of South Milledge Avenue on the morning of Monday, April 22.
Following the armed robbery attempt, Zarren Garner fled while Prezzano was taken to a local hospital to be treated for “life-threatening” injuries.
Fortunately, reports indicate that Prezzano is expected to make a recovery. At this time, Prezzano is in “stable but critical” condition.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said they were able to identify Garner so quickly because they’ve had previous encounters with him.
Garner — who was arrested in Gwinnett County, Georgia, on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 — has been officially charged with one count of armed robbery and two counts of aggravated assault.
Garner, from Grayson, Georgia, was taken to the Clarke County Jail around 3:45 a.m. on April 23.
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In their official statement regarding the shooting, University of Georgia officials said that they were “deeply saddened” by the incident.
“We are deeply saddened by these tragic and shocking events,” the emailed statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to our two students who were involved — one of whom is hospitalized — as well as their families and friends.”
The University of Georgia Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in the investigation into the shooting.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tate Prezzano and his friends, family, and various loved ones during this extremely difficult time. The entire staff here wishes Prezzano a full and speedy recovery.
