A 19-year-old University of Georgia student, Aiden Dombrowski, was arrested and charged with battery after police say he dressed in an East Coweta cross-country jersey, hid in the woods and attacked a high school runner during the Coweta Cup on Sept. 26. Witnesses report the suspect emerged holding rocks, shoved and punched the teen, who fought back and forced the attacker to flee. Dombrowski later turned himself in and officers recovered the jersey in his vehicle. Police have not disclosed a motive and the investigation is ongoing.
College Student Allegedly Dressed as Rival Runner, Hid in Woods and Attacked Teen During Cross-Country Meet
Aiden Dombrowski mugshotCredit: Coweta County Jail
A 19-year-old University of Georgia student, identified by police as Aiden Dombrowski of Newnan, was arrested Sept. 26 and charged with battery after authorities say he disguised himself in a rival high school cross-country jersey, hid in the woods and assaulted a teenage runner during the Coweta Cup Cross Country Championship at Newnan High School.
What Police Say
Newnan Police responded shortly before 8 a.m. to reports of an assault near 56 Sewell Road during the meet. Multiple witnesses told officers that a man wearing an East Coweta High School cross-country jersey emerged from the woods holding rocks, ran toward a competing teen, shoved him and struck him with his fists, police said. The victim fought back, and the suspect fled into the woods.
Arrest and Evidence
Officers say the suspect soon turned himself in at a nearby parking lot. Investigators report he had changed clothes, but officers recovered the East Coweta jersey inside his vehicle. Police body-camera footage obtained by Fox 5 includes an exchange in which Dombrowski said he "knew" the teen and called him an "acquaintance," and that the incident was a prank that went wrong, according to the news outlet.
Suspect Background
Authorities say Dombrowski attends the University of Georgia in Athens and is listed as a former Northgate High School cross-country runner on a recruiting profile on the NCSA College Recruiting website. Investigators told reporters he allegedly drove from Athens the night before, slept in his car, and wore the rival school's jersey before entering the meet. The Newnan Police Department confirmed with the Coweta County School System that Dombrowski is not and was not a student at East Coweta High School.
Legal Status and Public Appeal
Dombrowski was charged with battery. Police have not released a motive and have not confirmed whether he has retained legal counsel who can speak on his behalf. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Bradley Wilcox at 770-254-2355 or [email protected].
Note: The investigation is ongoing. The facts above reflect statements from the Newnan Police Department and reporting available at the time of publication.
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