Raphael Warnock canvasser, 15, shot in Georgia; wound not life-threatening, suspect jailed
A 15-year-old canvasser working for Sen. Raphael Warnock was shot in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday, according to police in the historic coastal city.
Law enforcement — stating there was no immediate indication the shooting was politically motivated — arrested 42-year-old Jimmy Paiz in his home.
The teen, whose identity was not released, was campaigning for Raphael Warnock for the upcoming runoff election when the incident occurred, Savannah police said in a statement.
“While at the front door of one of the residences on Hartridge Street, the suspect fired a shot through the closed door, striking the teen,” the statement said.
The victim was treated for a leg wound at an area hospital. The injury was said to be non-life threatening.
Paiz was booked into a county jail while the case is investigated. He faces charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery.
Georgia voters have until Tuesday to decide between Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.
The candidates were pitted against each other in a runoff election after nether candidate got 50% of the vote in last month’s general election.
Tensions have run high in the hotly contended race to join a Senate where Democrats hold a razor-thin majority. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Walker, and former President Barack Obama has campaigned for Warnock.
Shortly before November’s elections, a canvasser with alleged ties to white supremacy said he was assaulted while campaigning for Florida Republican candidates Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Ron DeSantis. While police said that attack was not politically motivated, Rubio and the alleged victim argued otherwise.
