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'It was protection from the hand of the Lord' | Second UGA victim says he was also targeted by armed robber

The UGA student said there was very little communication and that the entire robbery lasted around 35 seconds.

ATHENS, Ga. — The second victim who was held at gunpoint Monday near the University of Georgia's campus is speaking out about an incident that left one student recovering in Athens Medical after he was shot multiple times. 

Police arrested 20-year-old Zarren Garner in Gwinnett County overnight for allegedly shooting one University of Georgia student and robbing another at gunpoint. 

Credit: WXIA
Zarren Garner

The young man, who asked to remain anonymous, is the victim of the first robbery that happened off campus at the Milledge Place Apartments Monday morning. He told 11Alive that a man pointed a gun at him and demanded his phone and money. 

Sketch released of suspect connected to UGA student robbery, shooting

"I asked permission to set down the suits that I had in my hand, because whether you respect the guy or not, if he has a gun you respect him. Did that, showed him my wallet, had no cash in it and said, 'you can take my cards but I’m just going to cancel them,' and he hustled off," the student told 11Alive's Joe Henke

The UGA student said there was very little communication and that the entire robbery lasted around 35 seconds. 

The man took the student's phone, he said.

"It was actually rather comical. He took the phone and then as he was driving down the road he chucked that out the window because I have a lock on my phone like most people do and it isn’t an iPhone. That aggravated him I’m sure,” the student said. 

This is the man police say shot the UGA student at a bus stop

The student sent his thanks to the authorities involved in catching the alleged armed robber. 

“Praise to the police department and also quite honestly it doesn’t matter how well prepared mentally you’re for the situation, it was protection from the hand of the lord that I’m not in a coma or worse.”

22-year-old Tate Prezano was Garner's second victim, according to Athens Police. He was shot while standing at a bus stop off-campus near Milledge Place Apartments later that morning.

READ: UGA student shot in armed robbery described as dedicated, 'amazing' lacrosse player

 

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