Veronica Merrill

Name:
MERRILL, VERONICA DENISE

Date of Booking:
12/23/2024

Reason(s) For Booking:
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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on December 23, 2024]

On December 23, 2024, at approximately 01:00 hours, I, Officer Earley was dispatched to [100 BLOCK] Anderson Road in reference to an active fight with multiple people. I arrived in my conspicuously marked patrol vehicle equipped with emergency lights, sirens, and cameras. All cameras where activated. Upon arrival I observed several people running, yelling, and vehicles exiting the complex.

I exited my patrol vehicle where I was advised by Officer Marchbanks he could see blood coming from building four leading to building six. I followed the blood trail to the third floor of building [REDACTED] to apartment [REDACTED]. I knocked on the door and announced Police Department. A male identified as [VICTIM #1] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) opened the door along with a female identified as [WITNESS #1] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]), upon opening the door I observed [VICTIM #1] to be completely covered in blood. I observed [VICTIM #1] to also be holding a rag to his head which was also covered in blood. The blood continued to flow from [VICTIM #1]’s wound increasing the likely hood he would lose consciousness.

I asked [VICTIM #1] what happened to which he advised he “fell down the stairs” causing his injury. [VICTIM #1] continued to advise he was “straight” meaning he did not want medical attention. I instructed [VICTIM #1] to sit down because I feared he would soon lose consciousness. I instructed EMS of [VICTIM #1]’s severe injuries and too reponed urgently. I stayed with [VICTIM #1] and signaled my location for EMS services. EMS arrived on scene, once on scene [VICTIM #1] then began to lose consciousness. Due to [VICTIM #1]’s increasing critical conditions myself along with EMS services carried [VICTIM #1] down the stair well to the ambulance. Once [VICTIM #1] was secured in the ambulance he was then taken for treatment, I followed the blood trial in reverse to building four tracking it to its origins.

The blood trail and its origins led to apartment [REDACTED] located on the second floor of building four. The apartment was found to have multiple occupants inside which were not coming to the door. Police presence was announced multiple times. Two occupants exited the apartment willingly both identified as [WITNESS #2] and [WITNESS #3]. [WITNESS #2] advised the individual responsible for [VICTIM #1]’s injury was located in the back bedroom of the apartment and would not come out. Several more times Police presence was announced to no response however multiple times it was observed the blinds inside the residence were being moved indicating people were looking outside.

On call CID was notified of the current situation and a search warrant of the apartment was issued. The search warrant was signed into effect and forced entry was made into the apartment after several announcement was made. Upon entry of the apartment [REDACTED], people were located inside. Occupants were identified as follows [WITNESS #4] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]), [WITNESS #5] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]); Veronica Merrill (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) located in the rear bedroom in the living room [WITNESS #6] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) and [WITNESS #7] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]). All occupants in the apartment were secured without further incident. On call, CID arrived on scene and began interviews.

I began collecting photographs of the apartment in the apartment I observed several locations containing blood stains. Bloodstains were observed in the bathroom, living room, bedroom, kitchen, and in plain view blood stained clothes were observed to be in an open washing machine and the clothes were wet indicating the occupants attempted to wash them. The clothes were collected on scene by on call CID. Warrants completed and await a judge’s signature.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on December 23, 2024]

On December 23, 2024 at approximately 0600 hours, I, Officer S. McKinnon, arrived at Tanner Hospital to assist with guarding an arrestee from case number 202412001374.

Upon arrival, I and the arrestee, Veronica Merrill were placed in room 8 for a medical evaluation. Veronica was found to have a broken elbow and was given proper medical treatment. Veronica was released from the hospital and placed into my custody due to an active warrant for Aggravated Assault.

Due to Veronica’s injuries, she was not placed in handcuffs. Veronica was placed in the rear of my patrol vehicle and transported to Carroll County jail for housing.

[End of Narrative]