Clayton News Daily

Terry Roach

RIVERDALE — A Decatur man accused of shooting a man in the groin during a cookout in Riverdale was arrested Tuesday.

Clayton County Police said Terry Lynn Roach shot and then chased his victim, Myron Parks, into the street causing serious bodily injury to Parks on Aug. 31.

The shooting occurred at 11:20 p.m., in the 9000 block of Homewood Drive in Riverdale, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Roach is charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Detective T.A. Lewis said Parks was standing in the front yard of the Homewood address when he was shot.

“In an attempt to murder him, Roach shot Parks in the left hip area,” Lewis said. “Parks did flee across the street and Roach did pursue him.”

The bullet traveled in a downward angle from the hip and exited out of his inner thigh area towards his groin, he added.

Lewis said Roach, 27, stood in the street and fired another round at Parks, 25, as the victim fled from his assailant. Parks eventually collapsed in the front yard of another home located on Homewood Drive.

Witnesses told police Roach fled the scene in a white sports utility vehicle.

At the time of the shooting, police said they had no idea why Roach shot Parks.

During an interview with police, Parks identified the gunman as Roach.

“Parks [said] he has known Roach for many years,” Lewis added.