Arrest made in shooting, robbery of UGA lacrosse player, student expected to make full recovery

An arrest has been made in the shooting of a University of Georgia lacrosse player and the armed robbery of another student, Athens-Clarke County police said Tuesday.

Police arrested 20-year-old Zarren Garner, 20 on Tuesday morning in Gwinnett County. Garner is charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault, authorities said Tuesday morning in a news conference.

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The wounded student, identified as Tate Prezzano, 22, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries Monday morning after he was shot multiple times at an off-campus bus stop, authorities said. Prezzano, who also played lacrosse at Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, is a junior communications major at UGA.

His high school on Monday evening said Prezzano’s condition had stabilized and he is expected to make a full recovery.

"We're blessed and thankful for the conversation we're having today. It could have been a lot different," the student's father, Dobbin Prezzano, said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Credit: Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Credit: Athens-Clarke County Police Department

On Monday, police released a sketch of the suspected shooter, who they say is also connected to the armed robbery of another UGA student. The second student was robbed at gunpoint moments before Prezzano was shot, but that student was not hurt and was able to give police a description of the robber.

The UGA Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted Athens-Clarke County police in their investigation.

“We are deeply saddened by these tragic and shocking events,” the university said Monday in an email to students, faculty and staff. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to our two students who were involved -- one of whom is hospitalized -- as well as their families and friends.”

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