Derek Woodall

Name:
Woodall, Derek

Date of Booking:
03/12/2026

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 March 12, 2026]

On 3/12/26, at approximately 0234 hours, I responded to [300 BLOCK] Chattahoochee Way, in reference to a person armed call. When I arrived, I spoke with [WITNESS #1], who was outside on the porch. [WITNESS #1] said his stepdad, Derek Woodall, pointed a gun at [VICTIM #1].

I entered the house. Sergeant Carter, Corporal Oler, and Deputy Pinson went upstairs to speak with Derek, and I stayed downstairs to speak with [VICTIM #1]. While speaking with [VICTIM #1], I learned the following:

[VICTIM #1] was at the house hanging out, and Derek wanted him to leave. Derek is allowed to be at the house by [WITNESS #2]. [VICTIM #1] said Derek went to the bedroom door, and it was locked. [VICTIM #1] said he called [WITNESS #2] because he needed to talk to her about her son [WITNESS #1]. [VICTIM #1] said he knocked louder, and Derek came from the kitchen. [VICTIM #1] said Derek must have been asleep on the couch in the kitchen. Derek came up to [VICTIM #1] and started puffing his chest out and bumping him with his chest. Derek told [VICTIM #1] to “leave Mother Fu*ker”.

[VICTIM #1] said Derek went upstairs and retrieved a handgun, came back downstairs with it, and pointed it at him. [VICTIM #1] said he was scared because of the gun pointed at him, and Derek had been drinking tonight. [VICTIM #1] was unsure if Derek’s finger was on the trigger.

While speaking with [VICTIM #1], [WITNESS #2] came downstairs. When asked if she saw Derek point a gun at [VICTIM #1], she said yes, Derek did have a handgun pointed at [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] also came in and said Derek pointed the handgun at [VICTIM #1]. I went upstairs to speak with Derek, and Deputy Pinson stayed with [VICTIM #1], [WITNESS #2], and [WITNESS #1].

Derek was speaking with Sergeant Carter about how he has been overly stressed lately with work and people in his family dying. I asked Derek about what happened, and Derek said he wanted [VICTIM #1] to leave the house. Derek came upstairs and retrieved the firearm. Derek went downstairs and told [VICTIM #1] to get out of the house. Derek said he did not point the weapon at [VICTIM #1], but pointed it in the air.

I asked [VICTIM #1] where he was sleeping, and he said he was upstairs. I went downstairs with Deputy Pinson to speak with him about the incident. On my way out, I asked [WITNESS #2] if Derek was in bed with her, and she said no, she was alone. I also asked [WITNESS #1] where Derek was sleeping, and he said Derek was sleeping downstairs. I exited the house and spoke with Deputy Pinson.

After speaking with Deputy Pinson, I went back into the house and went upstairs with Corporal Oler. Corporal Oler asked him why he had pointed the gun at [VICTIM #1]. Derek said his intention in pointing the weapon at [VICTIM #1] was for everyone to go home so he could go to bed. Corporal Oler asked Derek if a person had a firearm pointed at a person, would it be reasonable for the person to be in fear for their life, and Derek said yes.

Due to the physical and testimonial evidence, I determined there was probable cause to arrest Derek for Aggravated Assault, due to Derek admitting to pointing the pistol at [VICTIM #1], wanting him to leave, causing [VICTIM #1] to fear for his safety as he though Derek was going to shoot him in the head.

I placed Derek in handcuffs behind his back and checked for proper fit and double-locked them. [VICTIM #1] asked to use the bathroom, and I placed the handcuffs in front of him so he could use the bathroom. After Derek was done, I placed the handcuffs back behind Derek’s back and checked for proper fit and double locked them. I took Derek out to my patrol vehicle and searched him incident to arrest. Derek asked me to adjust his handcuffs, so I loosened them and placed him in the back of my patrol vehicle. I transported Derek to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center and turned Derek over to ADC personnel. I returned to service.

When I returned to work on 3/12/2026, I took out warrant #CE0144445 for OCGA 16-5-21 for Aggravated Assault.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on March 12, 2026]

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 02:34 hours, I responded to [300 BLOCK] Chattahoochee Way, in reference to a person armed. The 911 caller stated there is a drunk male on scene that is pointing a gun at his head. I activated my emergency lights and sirens and responded to the scene as an emergency (Code 1).

Once on scene, Deputy Kelly and I went to the front door. We made contact with a younger male. As Deputy Kelly spoke to the male, I knocked on the front door. Another male answered and I asked where the drunk male was. The male that answered the door was on his cell phone and directed me into the kitchen, to the left, and upstairs.

As I approached the stairs, I made a verbal announcement, “…Sheriff’s Office,” and a male answered. Deputy Pinson and I made contact with Derek Woodall, who was obviously intoxicated. I asked Derek if anyone else was upstairs and he said no. I directed Derek to Deputy Kelly and conducted a security sweep of the upstairs room, finding no other individuals.

After telling Derek why we were there, I asked him if he had a gun and he said yes. I asked Derek where the gun was, without reaching for it. Derek pointed to a nearby nightstand with a drawer that was closed. I asked Derek if I could secure the firearm so I didn’t have to put him in handcuffs, as we didn’t know what else was going on. Derek agreed to let me open the drawer and pull out the pistol, which was a Ruger LCP Max .380. As I cleared the pistol I could see there was a round in the chamber. I made the pistol safe and left it on the bed.

I stood by as Deputy Kelly, Deputy Pinson, and Corporal Oler conducted the investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, Derek was placed under arrest and I went back in service, turning the pistol over to Corporal Oler.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on March 12, 2026]

On March 12th, 2026, at approximately 02:35 AM, I was dispatched to an armed person at [300 BLOCK] Chattahoochee Way Woodstock, GA 30188.

I arrived on scene and Corporal Oler and I went to the back of the residence to ensure nobody tried to escape. After Sergeant Carter and Deputy Kelley made contact with the initial caller, [VICTIM #1], and made sure everyone was okay Corporal Oler and I entered the residence.

Sergeant Carter, Corporal Oler and I made our way upstairs to clear the residence and saw Derek Woodall upstairs. Through conversation with Derek, I gathered the following:

Derek was downstairs trying to sleep on the couch, which was in the dining room. [VICTIM #1] was also downstairs with Derek’s wife, [WITNESS #2], and stepson just hanging out enjoying wine. Derek became irritated because he has to go to work the next day and [VICTIM #1] was being too loud. Derek told [VICTIM #1] he had to leave. Derek stated [VICTIM #1] became belligerent and got into Derek’s face yelling “I am not going anywhere.” At this point, Derek stated he became more irritated, went upstairs, retrieved his weapon from his nightstand, loaded it, and returned back downstairs.

Derek stated when he got downstairs, he was holding the gun up in the air with the muzzle pointed toward the ceiling, with his arm bent at the elbow at an approximately 45 degree angle, and pointed off to the side. Derek stated he never pointed the gun at anyone, and the gun was never out of the holster. Corporal Oler and Sergeant Carter continued to interview Derek after he spoke with [WITNESS #2] and [VICTIM #1].

I went outside to speak with Deputy Kelley and learned what he had learned from [WITNESS #2] and [VICTIM #1]. Deputy Kelley informed me [WITNESS #2] and [VICTIM #1] had the same story, Derek pointed the gun at [VICTIM #1]’s head. Deputy Kelley and I came to the conclusion probable cause existed to charge Derek Woodall with O.C.G.A 16-5-21 Aggravated Assault.

Deputy Kelley returned upstairs to speak with Derek while I stayed downstairs and spoke with [WITNESS #2], [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #2] stepson, [WITNESS #1]. Through conversation I gathered the following:

[VICTIM #1] received a text from [WITNESS #2] inviting him over for wine. [VICTIM #1] came over and he was attempting to talk to [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #2] was in another room, so [VICTIM #1] was knocking on the door trying to get [WITNESS #2]’s attention. [VICTIM #1] did not know this, but Derek was asleep on the dining room couch. [VICTIM #1] knocking on the door woke up Derek and this irritated Derek because he had to work the next morning.

This led to the altercation which was previously mentioned. Derek returned upstairs angrily and brought down his pistol and pointed it at [VICTIM #1]. I asked [VICTIM #1] to show me how Derek pointed the gun at him. Derek lifted his arm straight out in front of him and said, “right at my head.”

[WITNESS #1] informed me he was standing in the kitchen when he heard and saw Derek come down the stairs and racked the pistol. Once Derek got downstairs he told [VICTIM #1], “Get the fu*k out or I am going to blow your head off.”

A few moments later, Corporal Oler came in the kitchen and informed [WITNESS #2], [VICTIM #1], and [WITNESS #1] to head upstairs as Derek was being arrested. Corporal Oler did this to ensure there was no drama when walking [VICTIM #1] out of the house.

I sent [VICTIM #1] an Axon community request to obtain the screenshot of [WITNESS #2] inviting him over to the house. At the time of the report [VICTIM #1] has not uploaded the screenshot.

I provided [VICTIM #1] a case card and returned to service.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #4 on March 12, 2026]

On Thursday, 03/12/2026, at approximately 0234 hours, I responded to a person armed call at [300 BLOCK] Chattahoochee Way. Dispatch advised [VICTIM #1] contacted 911 because Derek Woodall was intoxicated and pointed a firearm at his head.

I arrived on the scene with Sergeant Carter, Deputy Kelly, and Deputy Pinson. Sergeant Carter and Deputy Kelly went to the front door of the residence. Deputy Pinson and I went to the back door. I saw Sergeant Carter walking through the house from the back door. He approached the door and opened it for us. Sergeant Carter advised Derek was in the upstairs portion of the residence. Sergeant Carter, Deputy Pinson and I moved to the upstairs portion of the residence. Deputy Kelly remained downstairs.

Sergeant Carter made contact with Derek and ensured he was not armed. Deputy Pinson began speaking with Derek. I relocated to the driveway to speak with [WITNESS #1], where I learned the following:

[VICTIM #1] and Derek were arguing over [WITNESS #1]’s mental health status which resulted in a brief physical altercation where the parties were pushing each other. During the incident, Derek went upstairs to his bedroom and retrieved a silver firearm, which he believed may have been a .22 LR. Derek racked the slide and pointed it at [VICTIM #1]’s head, telling him to leave the residence. [VICTIM #1] refused to leave the residence. Derek ultimately returned to the upstairs portion of the residence with the firearm.

I spoke with Deputy Kelly, [VICTIM #1], and [WITNESS #2], briefly. [WITNESS #2] advised she was awake and present for the incident. She saw Derek point the firearm at [VICTIM #1]’s head. [VICTIM #1] advised he was invited to the residence by [WITNESS #2] and they have been friends since their youth. [WITNESS #2] confirmed [VICTIM #1] is able to come in and out of the residence as he pleases and is always welcome at their house. They agreed it was a small silver firearm.

I relocated to the upstairs portion of the residence. Sergeant Carter advised he located the firearm, it was a sliver and black Ruger LCP MAX .380 ACP. Derek admitted he did have the gun with him when he told [VICTIM #1] to leave, but denied pointing it at [VICTIM #1]’s head.

I spoke with him about the allegations the other parties made. Derek could not explain why his story did not match the other involved parties stories. Derek admitted it could be possible he pointed the firearm at [VICTIM #1] out of frustration and his consuming alcoholic beverages during the evening could have increased his frustration with the situation.

I returned to the kitchen where [VICTIM #1] showed me where he and Derek were standing during the incident. [VICTIM #1] advised he was scared during the encounter and believed Derek could have shot him. He and [WITNESS #2] discussed several previous incidents where Derek threatened to shoot people in the past.

I went back upstairs and asked Derek why he pointed the firearm at [VICTIM #1]. He provided non answers by talking about being stressed out or would not answer at all. I asked Derek if we were standing in my house and Sergeant Carter was at my house but I did not want him there, even though my wife invited him to the residence, and I told him to leave while pointing a gun at him, if it was reasonable for Sergeant Carter to believe I intended to kill him. Derek said it was possibly reasonable.

Deputy Kelly placed Derek under arrest. I returned downstairs, where Deputy Pinson advised [WITNESS #1] told him Derek said he was going to blow [VICTIM #1]’s brains out if he did not leave. He also advised he was going to collect screen shots from [VICTIM #1] of [WITNESS #2] inviting him to the residence around 2030 hours during the evening.

I asked all parties in the kitchen to go to a different part of the house while we escorted Derek out of the residence. The complied with my request. Deputy Pinson and I remained on the scene to answer questions and then returned to service. Deputy Kelly transported Derek to the ADC.

[End of Narrative]