Athens Motel Clerk shot in Attempted Robbery

ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Athens Police Department says they are investigating a shooting and attempted robbery at a motel Sunday morning.

Detective Fred Schultz says it happened at Athens Lodge off Exit 52 around 6:15 a.m.

He says that the motel clerk outside of the motel, smoking when two males and a female approached him and began a conversation.

The clerk told detectives that was when he started to walk back inside when one of the suspects grabbed him and pulled out a gun.

The clerk says the gun went off as the he tried to knock it down and the bullet hit the clerks in the leg.

After that the clerk told detectives that he was able to lock the suspects outside of the motel and called 911.

The suspects fled and the clerk was taken to a local hospital.

Athens Police Detective Fred Schultz says the incident appears to be a failed robbery attempt.