Jonathan Harper

Name:
Harper, Jonathan Tyler

Date of Booking:
05/01/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Battery

Aggravated Assault

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 05/01/2025 at approximately 1515 hours, I was dispatched to [300 BLOCK] Carter Rd in reference to a Dispute. I responded to the area code one.

Upon arrival, I met with an officer with Auburn PD. He explained that based on the information he had, he determined that probable cause existed for Aggravated assault and/or Battery, and the suspect in this case was Jonathan Harper. I was made aware that the incident took place at [300 BLOCK] Hillside CT NW, which is the jurisdiction of the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.

I spoke to the victim [VICTIM #1], he stated that earlier on this date, he was at [300 BLOCK] Hillside court with some friends, he stated that Jonathan was there helping a female by the name of [REDACTED] jump start her vehicle. [VICTIM #1] stated that he was sitting inside a green Chevrolet Silverado bearing a GA tag [REDACTED], along with the driver of the vehicle [WITNESS #1] and another passenger [WITNESS #2].

[VICTIM #1] stated that Jonathan was parked next to the pick-up truck facing the same direction, Jonathan was in a Than Chevrolet Impala bearing a GA tag [REDACTED]. [VICTIM #1] stated that Jonathan began speaking to them while he was sitting inside his car behind the wheel, Jonathan began asking [VICTIM #1] for a tire that he claimed he had stolen from him.

Jonathan sated that an argument took place, and at some point, of the argument, Jonathan told [VICTIM #1] that “he knew people that would take care of the problem”.

[VICTIM #1] stated that he and [WITNESS #2] got out of the truck and told Jonathan not to threaten his family, he stated that Jonathan put the vehicle in park and intentionally turned the steering wheel and began backing up in his direction attempting to hit him with the vehicle.

[VICTIM #1] stated that he was hit by the vehicle, and at some point, his legs were pinned in between the impala and the Silverado, he stated that the Jonathan also ran over his right foot with one of the tires. I observed damage to the rear passenger said of the Silverado, [VICTIM #1] had bruising and swelling to his right foot and a small laceration to his right index finger. [VICTIM #1] claimed he suffered this injuries while being hit by the vehicle.

I spoke to [WITNESS #2], he stated that Jonathan was mad about a female that he likes, but this female has feelings for [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #2] stated that during this argument Jonathan did intentionally hit [VICTIM #1] and pinned him in between both cars. [WITNESS #2] stated that he was standing next to [VICTIM #1] when he was hit, but he was able to quickly move out of the way to avoid being pinned between the vehicles. I asked [VICTIM #1] if he believed that Jonathan was attempting to kill him, and he stated that he knows that Jonathan 100% intended to hit him while backing up. I spoke to the [WITNESS #1] who is Registered owner of the Silverado, who at the time was the behind the steering wheel when this took place.

[WITNESS #1] stated that Jonathan backed up and hit [VICTIM #1] and his vehicle in the process. I asked [WITNESS #1] if he wanted to press charges for hit and run or file an accident report, [WITNESS #1] stated that he did not want to prosecute nor file an accident report for the damage. I took photos of the damage to the Silverado, and of the injuries sustained by [VICTIM #1], this images will be attached to this report.

I began looking in the area for the Impala that was involved in this incident. At approximately 1648 hours, the vehicle was located in the area of Union Grove Church Rd and Wages Rd, a traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was asked to step out of the vehicle. I identified the driver as Jonathan, I asked Jonathan if he knew why he was being stopped, he stated that he was speeding. I asked Jonathan if he was involved in an altercation, he stated that an incident did took place at a trailer park but he had done nothing wrong. I asked Jonathan to tell me what happened at the trailer park. He stated that he was in an argument with [VICTIM #1] about a tire, and they refused to give it to him, Jonathan stated that he was attacked, and someone had punched his window, he stated that he had a video to prove it.

Jonathan allowed me to remove a tablet from his vehicle; while doing so, I observed damage to driver’s side headlight and the front driver’s side of the vehicle. Jonathan played the video, during this video I did not see anyone hitting Jonathan nor a window, I could hear Jonathan asking for a tire, and a female and multiple other parties telling Jonathan to leave and that he had hit “him” with the vehicle.

I asked Jonathan if he had hit someone or a vehicle with his vehicle during the altercation, he stated that he did not hit anything, all the damage to this vehicle was old and he had friends that could attest to it.

Based on the totality of the circumstances and the information available to me at the time, I made the decision to place Jonathan under arrest for Aggravated Assault and Battery against [VICTIM #1]. I secured Jonathan in a set of handcuffs behind his back, double locked and checked for proper fit, I conducted a search incident to arrest, and did not locate any contraband.

Jonathan was secured in the backseat of Deputy Jackson’s patrol vehicle, and the seatbelt was fastened. While conducting a vehicle inventory of the Impala, Jackson made me aware that Jonathan wanted to speak to me about the case. Jackson read Jonathan his Miranda rights and asked if he agreed to speak to me without his lawyer present, Jonathan stated that he did.

Jonathan told me that he wanted to tell me his side of the story, he stated that [VICTIM #1] punched him in the face through the open window of his car and that he backed out of the driveway quickly to get away. I asked Jonathan if he hit [VICTIM #1] with his vehicle because he was in fear of [VICTIM #1], he stated that he was in fear for his life because [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #2] are gang members that wanted to kill him. I did not see any injuries or marks to Jonathan’s face, a photo of the damage to Jonathan’s vehicle taken and will be attached to this report.

I asked Jonathan if he knew that he hit [VICTIM #1] and the other vehicle, he stated that did but he was scared for his life. I asked Jonathan why he didn’t contact law enforcement after the incident, he stated that didn’t think of it and he didn’t have a cellphone, I asked Jonathan if he was able to make calls from his tablet, he stated that he was.

Jackson stayed with the vehicle until the wrecker arrived and eventually transported Jonathan to the detention center without further incident. I returned to [300 BLOCK] Carter Rd to speak to [VICTIM #1], I asked [VICTIM #1] to tell me the story again, he repeated the same story consistent with his initial statement. I asked [VICTIM #1] if he punched Jonathan in the face through the window, he stated that he did punch Jonathan but only after he hit him with the car. [VICTIM #1] filled out a witness statement form.

[VICTIM #1] was asked multiple times if wanted to be checked out by a med unit for his injuries, he stated that he believed his foot might be broken but he would go to the hospital at a later date.

I obtained the following warrants against Jonathan.

O.C.G.A 16-5-21 Aggravated Assault. When Johnathan did assault [VICTIM #1] with a gold Chevrolet Impala bearing a GA tag which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury. [VICTIM #1] did suffer injury to his right ankle and right index finger. Based on witness statements, Jonathan did intentionally turn towards [VICTIM #1], striking him while backing up without legal justification.

O.C.G.A 16-5-23.1 Battery. When Johnathan did assault [VICTIM #1] with a gold Chevrolet Impala bearing a GA tag which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury. [VICTIM #1] did suffer injury to his right ankle and right index finger. Based on witness statements, Jonathan did intentionally turn towards [VICTIM #1], striking him while backing up without legal justification.

[End of Narrative]