A roofing team was on the job repairing storm-damaged homes in rural Georgia just before Christmas when, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the three-man crew became victims of an armed robbery.
The GBI said one of the men was shot during the robbery in the rural town of Homerville, which has a population of about 2,300 people and is some 90 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The injured man was taken to a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., about 102 miles southeast of Homerville, for treatment. His condition remains unknown.
The victim’s colleagues were also assaulted during the crime, authorities said and were taken to a local hospital, treated and then released.
All three men were part of an out-of-state roofing crew working on storm-damaged homes in the area. Neither the men’s identities nor their employer’s names were released, and no arrests have been made.
While specific crime statistics on roofers being robbed or assaulted on the job are not readily available, it's important to consider that roofers, like many other professions that involve working at various locations, can be vulnerable to such incidents.
Here are some factors that may have contributed to this vulnerability:
- Working in unfamiliar locations: Roofers often work at different residential and commercial properties, which may be in areas with varying levels of safety.
- Carrying valuable tools and equipment: Roofers typically carry expensive tools and equipment, which can be a target for theft.
- Working alone or in small groups: Depending on the job, roofers may work alone or in small groups, making them more vulnerable to assault or robbery.
- Being focused on their work: When roofers are focused on their work, they may be less aware of their surroundings, making them easier targets.
The investigation is ongoing, and the GBI has called on the public to help track the assailant.
