(The Center Square) – The Department of Justice filed charges against a man accused of shooting a 17-year-old male on a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority train.
Anthony Douglas Gresham, 42, of Lithia Springs, Ga., is accused of shooting the teenager in his left hand and left leg Friday aboard a MARTA train, the Justice Department said Tuesday. He is charged with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to information from the department.
It’s the second time this month that the Justice Department has filed charges related to a violent crime on Atlanta’s rail transit system, commonly known as MARTA.
John Elijah Matthews, 25, of Decatur, is facing federal charges in connection with the May 30 stabbing death of a 66-year-old grandmother on a MARTA train.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said, even though MARTA is a federal agency, he still fields many questions about the rail service. He’s had direct conversations with MARTA to make sure they are safer and have all the tools they need, he said at an Atlanta “pep rally” for the World Cup broadcast on WSB-TV.
“These unfortunate incidents have definitely dealt MARTA a black eye,” Dickens said. “You never want that to happen at any time and you certainly don’t want it to happen while you’re welcoming the world and encouraging them to take public transportation so that we can easily get them from A to B.”
The Federal Transit Authority has given MARTA until June 18 to respond to its investigation.
The Authority is asking for plans for data on crime and fare evasion enforcement, and how much is spent on security.
The MARTA Police Department has 280 officers and monitors 12,000 security cameras.
MARTA crime statistics show that officers investigated one homicide in 2025, down from four in 2024. Robberies decreased from 34 to 24 and aggravated assaults decreased from 64 to 28. The only crimes that increased were rapes, from one to two and arsons from two to five. Crime increased on MARTA buses but decreased on its rail system, according to the statistics.
MARTA spokeswoman Stephany Fisher said the safety and security of their customers and employees is MARTA’s number one priority.
“Every day thousands of MARTA employees show up to work at our stations, on our buses and trains, and in our facilities and offices to keep Metro Atlanta moving in a safe and secure manner,” Fisher said in an email to The Center Square. “We welcome the opportunity to share with federal officials the hard work that the MARTA team puts in every day as well as the significant investments in personnel, technology, and operational measures that MARTA has in place to support safety and security across our entire system.”
