An Atlanta PhD student claims he's caught in a case of mistaken identity, insisting he's been wrongfully accused in a road rage shooting because the real suspect shares his name—and drives the same car.
A graduate student is facing accusations of shooting and injuring a driver in a road rage altercation, though his attorney insists on his innocence and claims to have evidence supporting his defense.
The family of Ladavious McNair remains in disbelief over the charges, according to WSBTV2.
McNair, 32, is an Army veteran currently pursuing his PhD at Clark Atlanta University who now finds himself behind bars.
He was denied bond after being arrested by Atlanta police earlier this month, charged in connection with a 2023 road rage shooting.
McNair allegedly pistol-whipped and shot him in the leg following a minor car accident at Metropolitan Parkway and Ralph David Boulevard, according to the victim.
However, McNair's attorney, Marsha Mignott, strongly disputes these claims, asserting that her client was in class at Clark Atlanta University, about a mile away, at the time of the shooting.
Mignott believes this is a case of mistaken identity, stating that McNair and the actual shooter share the same name, drive similar cars, and are both from the same town in North Carolina. She also noted that the victim failed to identify a suspect in a photo lineup until this past summer, after apparently searching for the suspect on social media.
"He goes on social media, and I guess he's looking for the person he thinks is the suspect based on my client's name, and then he picks that," Mignott told Channel 2′s Michael Seiden.
Seiden contacted Atlanta police and a spokesperson sent the following statement: "We are not in a position to try this case in the media. The arrestee has the right to a fair trial and is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
Despite Mignott's defense, Atlanta police say they have video evidence linking McNair to the crime, though those materials remain under wraps as the investigation continues.
Mignott has reached out to the District Attorney's office and attempted to secure an emergency bond hearing, but so far has to wait until McNair's preliminary hearing on October 28.
