Atlanta Beltline trail stabbing suspect charged with murder had 30 prior arrests and was on probation: police
The man charged in Sunday’s fatal stabbing near the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail had 30 prior arrests and was on active probation for an aggravated-assault case, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
Johnathan Hamby, 54, was booked Monday on charges of murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony in the death of 29-year-old Ramon Harris near a Kroger grocery store at Ponce de Leon Avenue.
Atlanta police said officers responded at about 4:01 p.m. to a report of a stabbing, found Harris with an apparent stab wound and detained a suspect at the scene. Harris was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Authorities said that the stabbing began when Hamby was allegedly arguing with Harris and another man before threatening to stab them. The incident happened near Atlanta's famed Beltline, a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails and public parks around the city.
"We believe this was an attack that was carried out as a result of an argument that was verbal in nature and quickly escalated," Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said in a news conference Monday.
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An arrest warrant, obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, alleges Hamby then stabbed Harris in the neck. Investigators also recovered two knives at the scene, the outlet reported.
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Schierbaum said that the department’s records showed Hamby was no stranger to interactions with police and had been arrested 30 times. The chief also noted that Hamby was a felon on active probation for a prior aggravated-assault case in Brookhaven.
FOX 5 also reported that Hamby had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a knife.
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According to Fox News Digital’s review of Fulton County jail records, Hamby’s previous arrests included allegations of battery, aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, obstruction of law enforcement and criminal trespass.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Monday that he asked the city's public safety and Beltline teams to review patrols, camera coverage and the emergency response surrounding the attack.
"After seeing the video of yesterday’s heinous attack on the Atlanta Beltline, my prayers are with the victim, his loved ones and everyone forced to witness such a horrific act of violence. Atlantans and visitors should be able to enjoy the Beltline safely, and I have asked our public safety and Beltline teams to conduct a review of the safety protocols surrounding this incident, including patrols, camera coverage and emergency response," Dickens said.
The mayor said that Hamby's long history as a felon raises "serious questions about how someone with that record was once again in a position to endanger the public."
"Those facts demand that we examine the systems surrounding behavioral health, repeat offenders and public safety, and address any failures plainly with the partners responsible for those systems. Atlanta will continue doing everything within our power to keep people safe, but we cannot solve these challenges alone," he said.
APD said that its information is preliminary and that the homicide investigation is ongoing. An attorney was not listed for Hamby as of Monday evening. Fox News Digital has requested additional information from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.