Lawmaker reportedly shot at adult cinema

COLUMBUS — Although initial reports stated that state Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, was shot in the leg during a holdup Thursday at a Columbus convenience store as he was returning home from the state capital, emerging reports indicate the state lawmaker was actually shot at an address associated with an adult cinema.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has reported that, according to police reports of the incident, Greene was held up and shot at 3009 Victory Drive, home of Foxes Cinema, which is known to offer DVDs, magazines, adult toys and contain a video booth.

The Ledger-Enquirer story goes on to say that police listed a liquor store address at 3001 Victory Drive as the location where they dealt with Greene.

The Herald initially learned of the incident, in which Greene was reportedly mugged before his assailant shot him, from a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. That source indicated Greene’s wound was not considered to be life-threatening and that he was hospitalized at Midtown Medical Center. He was released from the hospital late Thursday evening.

Greene, who was said to be traveling with donation money for the Red Cross, told CBS affiliate WRBL-TV of Columbus he was in a parking lot behind Foxes Cinema, an adult entertainment store, when he was shot. A news crew from the station found fresh blood on the concrete behind the business, the station reported.

In an interview, Greene told the station that a man pointed a gun at his chest, demanded money and then shot him in the leg. The robber did not get the donations to the American Red Cross he had with him, the state representative said.

Greene’s cell phone was reported to have been stolen in the robbery, and the number was disconnected Friday.

Greene told WRBL-TV he had been to Foxes Cinema on previous occasions, but not Thursday. Instead, he said he was going to a liquor and package store where he frequently buys lottery tickets.

After Greene was shot, witnesses told the station he got into his car and drove to the store. Surveillance video obtained shows Greene walking into the store clearly injured and limping.

Attempts to reach Greene for comment Friday were unsuccessful. The long-time legislator is serving his 34th year in the Georgia House, representing House District 151. The district covers Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell and Webster counties as well as part of Dougherty County.