Atlanta

Person of interest wanted in connection to rape at Atlanta park, police say

ATLANTA — Atlanta police are asking for the public’s assistance as they search for a man considered a person of interest in a rape investigation.

The APD Special Victims Unit says they are investigating a rape that happened Sept. 18 at Butler Park near Edgewood Ave. in downtown Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

During their investigation, police came across surveillance images of a man they have named as a person of interest.

Police are now looking to identify and locate this man to question him.

Channel 2′s Tom Jones was at Butler Park on Friday, which is not far from the M.L. King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center.

Some visitors said they feel safe at the park, but others said they make a point to leave when the sun goes down.

Marcus Arnold likes to go to the park to play tennis.

“I’ve never heard of anything,” Arnold said. “Nothing has ever happened to me.

Anita Alexander, on the other hand, was not surprised to hear about the investigation.

“It’s always a shooting or something,” Alexander said. “I don’t feel safe anymore. I don’t go at night.

The park is in view of an iconic quote from the “I Have a Dream” speech inscribed on the MLK Recreation Center building that talks about equality.

“I just walked up there and read that epilogue on the wall,” Alexander said. “Just to think that somebody would do it here. Anywhere. But here of all places. You have to wonder what was going through their head.”

Anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact investigators at 404-546-2521.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS: