Convicted Felon Charged Federally in MARTA Train Shooting That Injured Teen

ATLANTA, Ga. — Federal prosecutors have charged a 42-year-old Lithia Springs man in connection with a shooting aboard a MARTA train that injured a 17-year-old passenger, authorities announced.

Anthony Tyrone Gresham was charged June 8 by criminal complaint with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to federal authorities, the shooting occurred on June 5 aboard a MARTA train stopped at the Midtown Station in Atlanta.

Investigators allege that the 17-year-old victim had boarded the train when Gresham entered the same rail car, removed a handgun from a bag and fired three shots in the teen’s direction.

The victim suffered gunshot wounds to his left hand and left leg and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Law enforcement officers recovered spent shell casings from the train following the shooting.

Authorities said Gresham fled the station after the incident but was located and arrested two days later in Douglas County by FBI agents and local law enforcement officers.

Federal prosecutors allege Gresham is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of an extensive criminal history that includes felony convictions in multiple Georgia counties for armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, burglary, theft and robbery by force.

Gresham is expected to appear in federal court at a later date to answer the charges.

“My office and federal law enforcement will continue to lean in and partner with local agencies to hold criminals accountable for violent attacks on MARTA, a critical component of Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure that is subsidized by federal funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Gresham was allegedly undeterred by decades of prosecution for robberies, drug trafficking, and other crimes, which compounds the need for federal intervention in this case.”

“Violence will not be tolerated on Marta,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The citizens of Metro Atlanta and our visitors deserve a safe and secure transportation system. This is a great example of the collaborative work of law enforcement to protect everyone’s right to safety.”

“The riders who depend on MARTA, and the officers who work to protect them, deserve to see violent offenders held accountable,” said Chief M. Scott Kreher of the MARTA Police Department. “I support and appreciate U.S. Attorney Hertzberg for his leadership in this area and for the continued partnership with the FBI AMMO task force as we work together to keep our communities safe.”

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the MARTA Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Additional assistance in apprehending Gresham was provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglasville Police Department, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

Federal officials noted that Gresham is the second person charged within the past week in connection with a violent attack on the MARTA transit system.