Donald Palmer

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Name:
Palmer, Donald Alexander Jr

Date of Booking:
12/22/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
HIJACKING A MOTOR VEHICLE – 1ST DEGREE – F

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F

INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT PROPERTY – 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 12/22/25 at 1640, I responded to 1302 W Bay St for a shooting. I was working as 22C1 in full uniform and in a marked patrol car.

I was on a ShotSpotter call under CRN 251222067. The description for the suspect was a B/M wearing a grey sweatshirt and black pants. We then received a call for a male with the same description going north on Millen St with a gun. We then received a call at 1302 W Bay St for gunfire with the same description. While I was driving to the location, the call changed to a shooting.

When I arrived, I did not locate anyone shot. I found the victim inside the location. [VICTIM #1] said she was outside in the parking lot on her phone. That is when a male came up to her and she thought it was just someone begging for money. When she looked at the man, that is when he pointed a gun at her. She said that a B/M with dreads wearing a grey sweatshirt pointed a gun directly at her face. He said, “Give me the keys!” She threw up her possessions and ran inside. The man then took her car. The car was a white Toyota Corolla. She told me that it had Marine stickers on it. I immediately put the information out. She did not know which direction he took because she ran inside. She said she did not know if she shot his gun because she was so scared and was just trying to get away.

Officer Clayton spoke to [WITNESS #1], [WITNESS #2], and [WITNESS #3]. They all said that they were in the parking lot and watched it happen. They said that the male came up to Ms. [VICTIM #1] and pointed the gun at her, and then took her car. They also went inside and waited for the police.

While I was at the location, officers located the vehicle at W 38th St and Bulloch St. The suspect crashed the car and ran from officers. They were able to take him into custody. They identified him as Donald Palmer. For more about the arrest of the suspect, read the officers’ supplemental reports.

I called for EMS to the scene because Ms. [VICTIM #1] requested them. She decided to be transported to Memorial Hospital via EMS. She had no physical injuries. There was a video of the incident from Nancy’s Seafood. Forensics responded to all of the scenes and recovered the video. The car was towed to Evidence. Detectives were notified and responded to the scene.

Sgt. Jackson and Sgt. Hunt responded to the scene. Mr. Palmer was transported to Memorial Hospital. At the time of this report, he was still at the hospital. I gave a CRN to Ms. [VICTIM #1], and my BWC was activated during this incident. The detectives took over the investigation from this point.

[End of Narrative]

The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

12/23/25

BOND DENIED FOR DONALD PALMER ON AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGE

What this means: Donald Palmer appeared before Judge in Chatham County Recorder’s Court for his first court appearance on case 251222072. He is accused of aggravated assault and other charges. The judge denied Palmer bond, meaning he must remain in jail while his case proceeds. The court cited Palmer as a significant risk under Georgia law O.C.G.A. 17-6-1(a), which allows judges to deny bond for certain serious offenses.

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12/23/25

FIRST APPEARANCE FOR DONALD PALMER

What this means: Donald Palmer had his initial court appearance in Chatham County Recorder’s Court where he was formally informed of the aggravated assault charges against him in case 251222072. During first appearance, defendants typically learn about their charges and have bond decisions made.

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12/31/25

BOND DENIED FOR DONALD PALMER ON FIREARM POSSESSION CHARGE

What this means: Donald Palmer appeared before Judge Denise Harmon in Chatham County Recorder’s Court for case 251222072 on a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. Judge Harmon denied bond again, keeping Palmer in custody. The order was prepared by a defense attorney, indicating Palmer had legal representation for this hearing.

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1/5/26

FIRST APPEARANCE ON FIREARM CHARGE

What this means: Donald Palmer had another first appearance hearing, this time specifically for the possession of a firearm by a felony charge in case 251222072. This suggests the charges may have been filed or processed separately, requiring distinct court appearances for each charge.

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1/15/26

FELONY DOCKET HEARING SCHEDULED

What this means: Donald Palmer has a felony docket hearing scheduled at 2:00 PM in Chatham County Recorder’s Court for case 251222072. A police officer is required to attend this hearing, which typically means witness testimony or evidence presentation may occur. This is a significant step in the felony case process.

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1/15/26

CASE BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT

What this means: After the felony docket hearing, Donald Palmer’s case was bound over to Chatham County Superior Court. This means the Recorder’s Court found sufficient evidence to send the felony charges – including hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, and interference with government property – to the higher court where felony cases are ultimately tried. Palmer will now face these serious charges in Superior Court, where penalties can be more severe.