Racial obscenities heard during drive-by shooting

The Associated Press --

COLUMBUS, Ga. --
Columbus Police said they are investigating whether a drive-by shooting that injured a teenager may have been racially motivated.

The victims of the shooting, who are black, told police two or three white males trailing their vehicle in a pickup truck hollered racial obscenities before firing at least three shots as they traveled west on Manchester Expressway around 11:45 p.m. Thursday.

One bullet struck 18-year-old Kevin Finch in the left side of his head, said Police Lt. Mark D. Starling. He is listed in unsatisfactory condition at a Columbus hospital.

"It happened so fast," said Barry Crane, 21, who was in the car with Finch. He told The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer the group didn't say anything to the attackers, whom they didn't know.

The third person in the car, 18-year-old Demetrius Bell, could not be reached for comment.

Starling said police have determined at least three shots were fired, but are still investigating how many shooters were involved.

Source: Ledger-Enquirer