Rome City police are looking for an unknown suspect who they say shot a man in the back on North Avenue this past Friday. 

 

According to Lt. Clayton with the city police, the gunshot victim, who has been identified as 42-year-old Joseph McCluskey, is still recovering in Floyd Medical Center after he was shot almost a week ago crossing through a lot on North Avenue. After an emergency surgery, McCluskey was interviewed by police, but could not identify who had attacked him. 

 

“He simply said he was cutting through a lot there on Southern and North Avenue, when he heard a ‘bang’ and felt a painin his left backside, which spun him around. All he could see was a black male with a black hoodie on. He took off running,” Clayton says. “He has no idea who shot him—–he didn’t have any idea who it was, or for what purpose they did this. He just didn’t know.” 

 

After he was shot, McCluskey stumbled into the parking lot of Hi-Tech Fuels on North Avenue, where he was found lying moments later by a customer. A store clerk there called 911.  

 

 

Anyone with any information on the assailant or the incident is urged to call Rome City Police at 706-238-5111.