Georgia man arrested for shooting boy campaigning for Sen. Warnock in runoff election against Walker

“According to the preliminary investigation, the teen was campaigning for Raphael Warnock for the upcoming run-off election when the incident occurred,” police said.

“While at the front door of one of the residences on Hartridge Street, the suspect fired a shot through the closed door, striking the teen,” cops said.

The boy was taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Police said officers quickly identified and located a suspect, 43-year-old Jimmy Paiz, at the residence.

Paiz was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery, both of which are felonies, according to cops.

On a LinkedIn page with Paiz’s name, he identifies himself as a retired veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served for nearly 17 years before leaving the service in 2014.

A Facebook post in 2020 by the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence features a portion of a podcast entitled “Picking Your Brain,” where a retired marine named Jimmy Paiz talks about being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in connection with his service in Iraq. The center is a collaboration of the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to promote care for veterans suffering from brain injuries.

“Retired U.S. Marine Corps SSgt. Jimmy Paiz’s experiences during his tours in Iraq left him struggling with #PTSD. Thanks to help from mental health providers, he now has an easier time coping with his day-to-day life,” the Facebook post says.

In a statement to NBC News sent by Warnock’s campaign, the senator said, “I am saddened to learn about this incident. I am praying for the victim and their family and wish them a full recovery.”

Police said the incident remains under investigation.

Paiz was being held in lieu of a $5,700 bond in jail.