NEWNAN, Ga. — A University of Georgia student was arrested Saturday, Sept. 26, after witnesses say he disguised himself in a rival high school’s cross-country jersey, hid in the woods along a race course, and physically attacked a Newnan High School runner in the middle of a countywide championship meet.
Aiden Dombrowski, 19, of Newnan, now faces a charge of battery following an incident at the Coweta Cup Cross Country Championship, held at Newnan High School. The case has drawn widespread attention because of the level of apparent planning involved: according to investigators, Dombrowski drove from Athens the night before the race, slept in his car, put on a jersey from the opposing school the next morning, and then allegedly stepped out of the woods to attack a competitor he said he knew only as an acquaintance. A Coweta County Schools spokesperson called the incident “bizarre,” and at least one spectator compared the scene to something out of a television drama. Police say the investigation remains open and that a clear motive has not been established.
Officers with the Newnan Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an assault at approximately 7:59 a.m. on Sept. 26, in the area of 56 Sewell Road, where the race was underway. When they arrived, the victim and multiple witnesses described a man emerging from the tree line holding rocks and wearing an East Coweta High School cross-country jersey. According to police, the man ran toward a Newnan High School runner, pushed him, and then struck him with his fists. The victim fought back during the altercation, and the attacker — later identified as Dombrowski — retreated into the woods. Witnesses at the scene recognized Dombrowski from his time as a runner at Northgate High School and identified him to responding officers. A short time later, Dombrowski walked out of the woods and turned himself in to officers in a nearby parking lot. Body camera footage captured the moment he approached police. He had changed his clothes, but officers found the East Coweta High School jersey inside his vehicle in the parking lot, according to the Newnan Police Department’s statement.
Investigators say the sequence of events leading up to the attack showed deliberate preparation. According to police, Dombrowski drove from Athens — where he attends the University of Georgia — to Newnan on Friday night and slept in his car before the Saturday morning meet. He then put on an East Coweta High School cross-country jersey, a uniform that did not belong to him, before positioning himself along the race route. The Newnan Police Department confirmed with the Coweta County School System that Dombrowski is not a current or former student of East Coweta High School. He is, however, a former member of the cross-country team at Northgate High School, according to recruiting records. His 2026 college recruiting profile on the NCSA College Recruiting website listed personal goals that included breaking 15 minutes in the 5K and four minutes in the mile. The profile described him as “diligent” and said he “always shows up to practice.” During the physical altercation, the victim defended himself effectively enough that Dombrowski suffered a visible cut above his right eye. Officers called an ambulance to the scene to treat Dombrowski’s injuries. The victim’s condition was not publicly disclosed in official statements.
In body camera footage obtained by Fox 5 Atlanta, Dombrowski spoke briefly with officers after turning himself in. When asked whether he knew the runner he allegedly struck, Dombrowski said, “I know him. I’m not friends with him.” An officer followed up by asking, “No bad blood with each other?” Dombrowski replied, “No bad blood. Acquaintances.” Investigators noted that Dombrowski characterized the incident as a prank gone wrong, though he denied hitting the athlete. That account directly contradicted statements from the victim and multiple witnesses, who told police that Dombrowski initiated the physical attack. Lt. Josh Jordan of the Newnan Police Department spoke with reporters about the incident, drawing on official department reports and body camera footage. Dombrowski was booked into the Coweta County Jail on a charge of battery. It was not immediately clear as of the time of reporting whether Dombrowski had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The Coweta Cup Cross Country Championship brought together high school runners from across Coweta County, making the meet a high-visibility event with parents, coaches, and spectators present along the course. The race route ran through wooded areas, which authorities say Dombrowski used to conceal himself before the alleged attack. The use of an opposing team’s jersey added a layer of deception that complicated the initial response — witnesses had to sort out who the attacker was amid an active race environment. Because the race course passed through areas with limited direct sightlines, officials and spectators were not immediately positioned to intervene. Witnesses who had prior knowledge of Dombrowski from his high school running career proved critical in identifying him quickly. The Coweta County School System cooperated with police in verifying Dombrowski’s enrollment history and confirmed he had no affiliation with East Coweta High School. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the name or age of the victim, citing his status as a minor.
As of the Newnan Police Department’s most recent public update, the investigation remains ongoing. Dombrowski has been charged with one count of battery, a charge that under Georgia law can apply when a person intentionally causes physical harm or makes contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person. Prosecutors have not publicly announced whether additional charges are under consideration. Police have not disclosed whether Dombrowski had any prior criminal history or prior personal contact with the victim beyond what he described in body camera footage. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sgt. Bradley Wilcox at the Newnan Police Department by phone at 770-254-2355 or by email at bwilcox@newnanga.gov. No court date has been publicly announced, and the Newnan Police Department has not indicated when the investigation is expected to conclude. The University of Georgia has not issued a public statement regarding Dombrowski’s enrollment status or any potential disciplinary action.
Dombrowski remains charged with battery as the Newnan Police Department continues its investigation into what prompted the alleged attack; the next public milestone will be his first court appearance, which had not been scheduled as of the department’s latest update.
