Morning jog turns terrifying after Mableton neighbor fires rifle at man

Cobb County police have arrested a Mableton man, Alejandro Aveldanez, following an incident where a young man, Justin Culpepper, was shot at while jogging near his aunt’s residence on Hillcrest Chase Terrace In Mableton. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday when Culpepper, 25, was training for a boxing match.

According to the aunt, Shannon Allen, Culpepper was about a block away from her home when Aveldanez allegedly fired a rifle at him, instructing him to leave the area. Culpepper circled the block, returned to Allen’s home, and reported the incident to her. Allen, initially unaware of the situation, saw Aveldanez outside her residence when her nephew recounted the incident.

Describing the encounter, Allen stated, “I saw the individual from upstairs because I was getting dressed, getting ready for my day. And I did see him, but I thought nothing of it ‘til my nephew came in the house and said this man was shooting at him.”

Aveldanez had left by the time they went downstairs, but when they attempted to leave for Aveldanez’s house, he confronted them outside her home and inquiring about Culpepper’s residence. Allen informed him that she was calling the police.

Cobb County Police promptly responded, arresting Aveldanez and charging him with reckless conduct, a misdemeanor offense. Allen, however, is dissatisfied with the misdemeanor charge and believes more serious charges should be brought against Aveldanez.

She expressed concern over the potential severity of the incident, stating, “Absolutely, because it could’ve been my nephew’s life. This could’ve ended terribly.”

Aveldanez is out on bond, and police continue to investigate the case.