Savannah mayor says surveillance video won’t be released in Forsyth Park acid attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Police have surveillance video from the night of the Forsyth Park acid attack, but Mayor Van Johnson says releasing it could cause more problems than it solves.

Johnson addressed the acid attack investigation at a City Hall press conference Tuesday afternoon. He said he didn’t know there was a blurry video obtained by Savannah Police, but agrees with their decision to not share it with the public.

More than four months ago, a woman was doused with sulfuric acid in Forsyth Park. Police say Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park that evening when a man hiding in the shadows attacked her with acid. The attack happened Dec. 10.

No arrest has been made in the case.

Johnson says the video’s poor quality is a key reason why police won’t release it.

“Because we know how y’all are and we know how we are. We release this low quality footage, it will risk misidentification and promotes speculation,” Johnson said.

Last week, Savannah Police shared they are keeping a key piece of video evidence out of the public eye. A National Police Association spokesperson suggested that could mean investigators could be closing in on a suspect.

Police are briefing the victim’s family on updates as the investigation continues. Johnson says this is the first acid attack in Forsyth Park’s history, and he wants the public to know the park remains safe to visit.

Johnson is asking anyone with information about the Dec. 10 attack to contact Savannah Police.