The man charged in a 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. The incident occurred near a Kroger grocery store at Ponce de Leon Avenue.
Atlanta police responded around 4:01 p.m. on Sunday to a report of a stabbing. Officers found Harris with an apparent stab wound and detained a suspect at the scene. Harris was transported to a hospital, where he died.
Authorities stated the stabbing began when Hamby allegedly argued with Harris and another man before threatening to stab them. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum described the incident as an attack that was carried out as a result of a verbal argument that quickly escalated.
An arrest warrant obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta alleges Hamby then stabbed Harris in the neck. Investigators recovered two knives at the scene.
Chief Schierbaum noted that department records indicated Hamby had been arrested 30 times previously and was a convicted felon on active probation for a prior aggravated assault case in Brookhaven. Fox News Digital’s review of Fulton County jail records showed Hamby’s past arrests included allegations of battery, aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, obstruction of law enforcement, and criminal trespass. He had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a knife, according to FOX 5.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Monday that he has asked the city’s public safety and Beltline teams to review patrols, camera coverage, and emergency response protocols surrounding the attack. He expressed that Atlantans and visitors should be able to enjoy the Beltline safely.
“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,” Dickens stated, adding that Atlanta will continue to do everything within its power to keep people safe but cannot solve these challenges alone. The mayor also raised questions about how an individual with Hamby’s record was allegedly able to endanger the public again.
The Atlanta Police Department indicated that its information is preliminary and the homicide investigation is ongoing. An attorney for Hamby was not listed as of Monday evening.