ATLANTA — A morning stroll turned into a nightmare for a woman outside a Buckhead Target store when she became the victim of a violent assault captured on surveillance footage. The incident, which occurred just before 8 a.m. Wednesday, is now linked to a suspect accused of multiple attacks in the area.
According to Atlanta police, the woman approached the Target located at 3535 Peachtree Road NE only to discover it was not yet open. As she began to walk away, she noticed a man making strange noises nearby. In a sudden and unexpected act of aggression, the man charged at her, knocking her to the ground.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Torrin Mott, then forcibly dragged the woman down a stairwell where he attempted to sexually assault her. The victim fought back, screaming for help, but Mott reportedly tried to silence her by shoving his fingers into her mouth, demanding she stop.
Fortunately, the assault did not go unnoticed. Bystander intervention played a critical role in the victim’s escape when another man approached and engaged Mott. This distraction allowed the woman to flee to the Target for assistance, where she reported the attack.
Police quickly identified Mott as the suspect and arrested him early Thursday morning. His criminal record reflects a troubling pattern of behavior. According to court documents, he is also connected to an attempted assault on another woman at MARTA’s Lenox Station on the same day, where he allegedly chased her while wielding a belt, resulting in her falling from her bicycle.
Further investigations revealed that Mott was linked to an earlier incident at the same station in January, in which he assaulted another woman by placing a hand over her mouth and wrapping his arm around her waist. Fortunately, she managed to escape.
Mott faces a series of charges from both the Atlanta Police and MARTA Police. As of Thursday evening, he remains incarcerated without bond, highlighting the serious nature of the accusations against him.
The incidents at both locations raise concerns about safety in public spaces and the need for increased vigilance. Local authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Mott or additional past incidents to come forward to aid further investigations.