THE WALKER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING AN ASSAULT IN THE REMOTE JOHNS MOUNTAIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA NEAR VILLANOW.  ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, THE 61 YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM PICKED UP ONE OR TWO HITCHHIKERS IN THE CALHOUN AREA. 

THEY REPORTEDLY FORCED HIM TO DRIVE TO THE WILDERNESS AREA, WHERE THEY ROBBED HIM… STABBED HIM IN BOTH THIGHS AND SHOT HIM IN THE ABDOMEN.  HE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT ERLANGER.  THE SUSPECT(S) ESCAPED IN ANOTHER VEHICLE… AND THE VICTIM FLAGGED-DOWN A PASSING MOTORIST ON HIGHWAY 136.  THE GBI IS ASSISTING IN THE INVESTIGATION.
WQCH