Atlanta Police said the suspect dragged her down a stairwell and attempted to assault her.
ATLANTA — Atlanta Police are looking to identify a witness who they said heroically stepped in and saved a woman during a violent attack and sexual assault at the Target in Buckhead.
The attack happened Wednesday morning, in an assault that police said was caught on camera and then later linked to a man accused of multiple attacks similar to the one that happened at the Target.
The victim told Atlanta Police she was walking toward the Target at 3535 Peachtree Road NE just before 8 a.m. when she realized the store was not yet open and began walking away. She noticed a man nearby who, she said, made “grunting” noises before suddenly charging at her and tackling her to the ground.
Police said the suspect dragged her down a stairwell, pulled down her pants, and attempted to force oral sex. She said she screamed and fought back until he shoved his fingers into her mouth and demanded she stop.
Investigators said the entire attack was captured on Target surveillance cameras.
In the video, the suspect is seen stopping the assault when another man walked up the stairwell and intervened. That bystander grabbed the suspect and fought with him, giving the victim the chance to run to the store for help.
Atlanta Police identified the suspect as 30-year-old Torrin Mott, who was booked into jail Thursday morning just before 2 a.m. You can see Mott's mugshot here.
Now, Atlanta Police are searching for that witness, who they said is a Good Samaritan who intervened during the assault and successfully stopped the attack. APD said they are urging him, or anyone who can identify him, to come forward so "their heroic actions do not go unrecognized."
Police attached the following photo of the witness, who was seen wearing a black hoodie, black hat and Nike sneakers.
Background on Target sexual assault suspect
Court records obtained by 11Alive show Mott is also accused of trying to assault a second woman the same day at MARTA’s Lenox Station. Warrants issued by MARTA Police state that he chased the victim while holding a belt, causing her to fall off her bicycle and hit her head.
MARTA Police also linked Mott to a January attack at the same station, where officers said he grabbed a woman, put his hand over her mouth, and put his arm around her waist before she was able to escape.
The day before the alleged attack at the Target, police said Mott assaulted somebody at 960 E. Paces Ferry Road, which is near the MARTA station.
But what 11Alive learned Friday was that Mott was released from jail just a week ago, Friday, Aug, 29. He was out only a few days before being accused in the recent attacks.
Between Atlanta Police and MARTA Police, Mott now faces multiple charges, including:
A military judge sentenced Pvt. Deron Gordon to over six years in prison for sexually assaulting a college student.
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier who sexually assaulted a college student in the barracks in 2024 was sentenced to more than six years in prison Friday.
A military judge sentenced Pvt. Deron Gordon, 20, to six years and three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one specification each of sexual assault, abusive sexual contact and as a principal to indecent recording.
Gordon was previously charged with additional crimes, but those were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Gordon is one of four soldiers who were charged in in connection to the sexual assault of a college student, who is now a commissioned Army officer, in October 2024.
When Gordon pleaded guilty, he said that he and another soldier followed the college student into a bedroom after she had been drinking with them. He said she was unstable walking into the room and when they went inside she was on the bed and not responsive.
Gordon said he and the other soldier each proceeded to have sex with her and they filmed each other sexually assaulting her on Snapchat.
As part of his sentencing, Gordon will be reduced in rank to E-1 and dishonorably discharged from the Army.
Gordon will serve the remainder of his sentencing at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Once he is released, Gordon must register as a sex offender.
The three other soldiers who were charged in the incident are at different points in the legal process, and their cases are being treated separately.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Additional resources are available on the Washington State Department of Health's website.
KING 5’s Conner Board contributed to this report.
