The shooting death of has produced at least one good outcome: The community response to the tragedy has been overwhelmingly positive.
Hundreds of people have called in tips, believing they had spotted someone fitting the description of alleged killer . People have left messages on the police department’s Facebook page and have sent email condolences.
Wal Mart and Sam’s Club, as well as several restaurants and other businesses have donated food and drinks for the 150 or so police personnel investigating the crimes and searching for Hood.
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“We’ve had a great response,” said Major Mike Shockley. “Our Community Oriented Policing program has a lot to do with it.”
He expects perhaps thousands of people, from Athens and out of town, to attend the funeral, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the
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Leave and days off for members of the police force have been cancelled, he said. Police officers have continued to follow all leads and to develop ones of their own.
“We believe he’s still in the area,” Shockley said. “Meaning the county or surrounding counties.”
The police have concentrated some surveillance efforts near the house of Hood’s parents on in East Athens. But they are also patrolling and looking for Hood in other parts of Athens-Clarke County as well.
To share information with the police, call 706-613-3345.
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