Newnan, Georgia — A University of Georgia student is accused of posing as a high school cross-country runner and ambushing another athlete during a race, allegedly waiting in the woods before attacking the runner with rocks and his fists.

Aiden Dombrowski, 19, allegedly traveled from the University of Georgia campus in Athens to Newnan on Friday night before the Coweta Cup Cross Country Championship at Newnan High School. According to Newnan police, he slept in his car overnight while waiting for the race the following morning.

The unusual incident unfolded Saturday when Dombrowski allegedly entered the event wearing an East Coweta High School cross-country uniform.

Police Say Student Infiltrated the Race

According to police, Dombrowski traveled roughly 110 miles from Athens to Newnan before the race.

When the competition began, investigators say he put on the East Coweta uniform and made his way through wooded areas near the course.

He allegedly waited until a Newnan High School runner he knew as an acquaintance passed through the area.

Witnesses told police that Dombrowski was carrying rocks when he approached the runner. The alleged confrontation then escalated, with witnesses saying the suspect pushed the athlete and struck him with his fists.

The circumstances of the encounter prompted witnesses to compare the bizarre attack to something from a movie.

Runner Fought Back During Alleged Attack

The targeted runner reportedly fought back during the confrontation. According to the account provided to police, the victim’s response eventually caused Dombrowski to retreat from the course and run into the surrounding woods.

The suspect allegedly then made efforts to change his appearance. During his flight from the area, Dombrowski reportedly changed clothes and left the East Coweta uniform inside his car.

Police were searching for him when he eventually surrendered.

When Dombrowski turned himself in, officers reportedly noticed that he appeared to be wearing another school’s tracksuit.

Suspect Called It a Prank

During his conversation with police, Dombrowski allegedly characterized the incident as a prank and denied attacking the runner. Body-camera footage obtained by Fox 5 Atlanta reportedly captured part of the conversation between Dombrowski and an officer. The officer asked:

“So you don’t know that kid at all,”

Dombrowski responded:

“I know him, I’m not friends with him,” the suspect replied. “No bad blood. Acquaintances.”

He reportedly did not provide additional information about what happened during the race. Police later determined that Dombrowski was never a student at East Coweta High School and reportedly did not explain how he obtained the school’s cross-country uniform.

Dombrowski Was Arrested and Charged

Dombrowski was arrested and charged with battery following the alleged incident. He was booked into the Coweta County Jail.

His booking photo showed Dombrowski with a visible injury and a gash around his right eye, which he allegedly suffered during the confrontation with the runner.

The investigation also raised questions about why he attended the race while wearing another school’s uniform and how he obtained the clothing.

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Authorities have not publicly provided a detailed explanation of what allegedly motivated the confrontation.

He Previously Ran at a Nearby High School

Dombrowski previously attended Northgate High School, which is located in the same general area, before enrolling at the University of Georgia. His past running ambitions were also documented through an NCSA College Recruiting profile.

According to that profile, Dombrowski had hoped to break 15 minutes in the 5K before graduating high school and wanted to “improve considerably” after entering college.

Despite his background as a runner, Dombrowski does not appear on the University of Georgia’s current cross-country or track team rosters.

The case remains focused on the alleged confrontation at the Newnan race, where what began as a high school cross-country competition turned into a police investigation after a runner was allegedly attacked by someone who had entered the event under another school’s identity.

What do you think about the unusual circumstances surrounding this alleged attack at the cross-country race? Share your thoughts in the comments.