Bernard Nelson

Name:
Nelson, Bernard Norman

Date of Booking:
11/07/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F

AGGRAVATED BATTERY – F

TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS – F

POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES – F

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 11/07/2025, at approximately 0203 hours, I was dispatched to 18 E. River St. in reference to an assault in progress. I responded to the location in a plainly marked Savannah Police Department patrol vehicle and in full police uniform.

Upon arrival, I made contact with the victim, identified as Ms. [VICTIM #1]. Ms. [VICTIM #1] appeared visibly shaken and displayed visible abrasions around her neck and throat area. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she and her boyfriend, identified as Mr. Bernard Nelson, had been at the Warehouse Bar on River St. consuming alcoholic beverages earlier in the evening. When they left the bar, they began walking west along River St. when another homeless male made a comment that upset Mr. Nelson. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Nelson immediately became enraged and took his anger out on her.

Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised that Mr. Nelson picked her up off the ground by her throat with both hands and slammed her onto the ground near some bushes. She stated that once on the ground, Mr. Nelson continued to choke her to the point where she was unable to breathe or call for help. Ms. [VICTIM #1] further stated that while he was strangling her, Mr. Nelson said, “If I can’t have you, nobody will. I will kill you and hide your body where no one will find you.”

Ms. [VICTIM #1] also reported that during the assault, Mr. Nelson had a large red and black knife on his person, which she had seen him carry regularly. She stated that in an attempt to free herself and stop him from strangling her, she slapped him in the face several times until he released his grip. Ms. [VICTIM #1] was scared during the incident and believed that Mr. Nelson was going to kill her based on his actions and threats.

After gathering the necessary information, I broadcast the suspect’s description to other officers in the area. Shortly thereafter, Officer Fitzpatrick located Mr. Nelson on W. River St. near the Barnard St. ramp, where he was detained without incident.

Officer St. Jacques arrived on scene and took custody of Mr. Nelson. Due to Mr. Nelson’s highly intoxicated state, I did not attempt to conduct an interview with him at the scene. Officer St. Jacques later informed me that Mr. Nelson made several spontaneous statements during transport to the hospital, which were documented in a supplemental report completed by Officer St. Jacques.

I conducted a Lethality Screening with Ms. [VICTIM #1], during which she scored in the high-risk category. As a result, I contacted a representative from Safe Shelter. While initially agreeing to be transported to Safe Shelter, Ms. [VICTIM #1] changed her mind after learning that Mr. Nelson had been arrested and was being transported to jail. She stated that she loved him and ultimately declined further services from Safe Shelter.

EMS was requested to evaluate Ms. [VICTIM #1] on scene. EMS personnel advised that she had abrasions on both sides of her neck and throat consistent with her account of the assault. EMS strongly recommended transport to the hospital for further evaluation; however, Ms. [VICTIM #1] declined treatment and transport.

During further conversation, Ms. [VICTIM #1] disclosed that on the previous night, 11/06/2025, while at their camp, Mr. Nelson had also become intoxicated and assaulted her in a similar manner. She stated that he picked her up by the neck, slammed her on the ground, pulled out the same red and black knife, and punched her several times in her side.

Officer St. Jacques transported Mr. Nelson to Memorial Medical Center for medical clearance due to his involvement in a physical altercation. Once medically cleared by hospital staff, Mr. Nelson was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center for booking.

Mr. Nelson was charged with the following offenses: Aggravated Assault (Family Violence) O.C.G.A. §16-5-21, Aggravated Battery (Family Violence) O.C.G.A. §16-5-24, Terroristic Threats O.C.G.A. §16-11-37, and Possession of a Knife During the Commission of or Attempt to Commit Certain Crimes O.C.G.A. §16-11-106.

A Case Report Number was generated.

[End of Narrative]