Man shot and killed by backseat passenger in Interstate 85 shooting

Published 2:54 pm Monday, October 9, 2023

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A 71-year-old is dead after being shot in the back of the head by a backseat passenger while riding in a car down Interstate 85, according to a press release from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the press release, 71-year-old Andrew Stankiewicz, of Texas, was shot and killed. The suspect, JonThomas Cloud, 29, of Columbus, has been charged with one count of murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

TCSO was dispatched to Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center at 12:36 p.m. Sunday in reference to a person shot.

Once on scene, they met with a sergeant with the LaGrange Police Department, who advised of a male gunshot victim in the emergency department was deceased and a vehicle that was parked in the ambulance bay as a possible crime scene.

Investigators were also advised that two other occupants of the car were inside the hospital uninjured.

The vehicle had obvious bullet holes in the front window and the passenger seat, according to the press release. Investigators spoke with an adult female who was identified as the driver of the vehicle and Cloud.

Investigators have determined at this time that the female and Cloud traveled to Atlanta

Hartsfield Jackson Airport to pick up Stankiewicz. The unidentified female is Stankiewicz’s wife.

At some point during their ride to Columbus on Interstate 85, Cloud shot Stankiewicz in the back of his head. The driver then proceeded to Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center and on their arrival 911 was notified.