COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) -
A Columbus veteran is without a ride after being carjacked while trying to be a Good Samaritan.
He says he offered someone a ride, and the next thing he knew a gun was in his face. He told News Leader 9 he never thought he'd be at war in his own hometown.
Imagine these are the last words you hear, "you have your life." That's what Vietnam veteran and Columbus native 67-year-old Thomas Williams said he heard right before his car was stolen.
"[She] said, can you give me a ride? [I said yes.] So, we're in the car and the next thing I see is a nickel plated, short barrel gun, with dum-dum bullets and she cocked the trigger," said Williams.
Williams is the second person to be carjacked in a week in Columbus. It happened Thursday shortly after 3 p.m. at the intersection of Lawyers Lane and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
The 38 caliber revolver in his face stunned Williams but it was the words the woman said next that really caught his attention.
"She said, ride or die," said Williams.
With a gun in his face, Williams and the unknown woman drove his 2012 Burgundy Honda Accord more than seven miles to The Columbus Community Center off Steam Mill Road.
"It was horrific," said Williams. "She then told me you have your life and she drove away."
Williams lost several items when his car was stolen.
"I gave up my money, car, personal possessions that could never be replaced."
Williams said he had old coins, his mother's death certificate, VA papers, and a slew of other items with him in the car.
"What options do I have? Jump out the car? Run into something? Try to- none, none," said Williams.
You may have some options. Here are suggestions on what you can do if you find yourself in a car-jacking situation.
- Be alert and always look around for suspicious people.
- While driving, make sure your doors are locked.
- If you are stopped by a would-be car thief, listen carefully to their demands.
- Do not make any sudden movements.
- Don't be confrontational, do as you're told.
In the end your car is not worth your life.
Williams did not have another car to drive and had to walk everywhere he went. He said he thanked God to still be alive.
His car has not been found and the suspect is still out there.
"Mama said it's a jungle out there. People are mean and will do mean things," said Williams.
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