ATLANTA — Nearly two years after a man was viciously beaten and left to die on train tracks in Atlanta, detectives are now asking the public for help finding two persons of interest in the case.
On July 11, 2021, Josh Dowd was found unconscious on the railroad tracks near Lakeshore Drive in Atlanta. The attack left Dowd in a coma for nearly three weeks with a severe brain injury. 11Alive reported on Dowd's step-by-step recovery last Friday.
Now, Atlanta Police detectives with its aggravated assault unit are searching for John McIntyre, 48, and a woman who goes by the name "Alyssa", pictured below. The man and woman are believed to be unhoused and living in the area of Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE and Piedmont Rd. NE, according to APD.
A man who identified himself as Mark Jones spoke with 11Alive's Joe Ripley Monday, the eve of the second anniversary of the brutal attack. Jones recognized the two people of interest, saying McIntyre, who also went by "Johnny Mac," would typically wear a ballcap and was known to go out with Alyssa.
"He was never violent with anybody, he just had that kind of dark side, but a lot of times out here with people on the street, they play like that so people think they’re tough," Jones said. "Johnny, he had a temper. He’d get mad, but I thought he was a guy trying to chase a girl and got crazy about her.”
Jones said Alyssa stayed more in the area of Little Five Points, Inman Park and Candler Park.
Dowd's partner, Colin Kelly, said he was surprised to hear the news. While Dowd is now walking and talking, Kelly said whoever attacked his partner made a poor decision that robbed Dowd of his memory and physical ability to live a somewhat normal life.
"I didn’t see this coming," Kelly said. "I was resigned to the fact that we likely wouldn’t know who did this to Josh. We were just taking solace in knowing Josh was getting so much better and making such good progress. But knowing that the individuals who brought this upon us and turned our worlds upside down, knowing they’re not on the streets anymore potentially harming others would definitely bring us some peace.”
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call detectives at 470-316-2606 or you can submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip online here. A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered leading to an arrest and indictment of suspect(s) in the case.
More on Josh Dowd's attack
Dowd was 28 years old at the time-- when he was found bleeding from the head and barely breathing on the train tracks. He was rushed to Grady Hospital, where Kelly previously told 11Alive Dowd fought off fevers and infections in the battle to overcome his injuries.
An initial police incident report called Dowd's case a "miscellaneous/non-crime." However, in an update, Atlanta Police detectives believe Dowd was hit in the back of the head with an object and he was left knocked out on the ground. The police department previously said Dowd's attack is being considered an aggravated assault case.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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