The following was taken from a press release distributed by the Marietta Police Department on April 1, 2024:
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Marietta Police Department evening watch officers were dispatched to 1955 Bells Ferry Road, Laurel Hills Preserve, apartment 3321 Sunday evening March 31st at approximately 7:30 PM regarding a domestic dispute. Dispatch advised both partners were yelling and arguing and according to the caller, they had been in a physical fight just before the call was placed.
When officers arrived, they met with the caller in the parking lot, who had visible injuries consistent with a fight. Her girlfriend was still inside the apartment and refused to cooperate, yelling repeatedly that she would not go back to jail.
Officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect, now identified as thirty-one-year-old Aleigha Ward, for roughly ninety minutes. According to both parties, Ward owned and carried a handgun.
During the negotiations, Ward made verbal threats that were recorded on body camera. When negotiations were unsuccessful with the shift officers, Marietta Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was activated and called to take over the scene.
After repeated attempts to negotiate, the team forced entry into the apartment just before midnight. The suspect attempted to run out of the building and was taken into custody without incident.
Ward was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on warrant 24-W-3109 facing charges of Battery Visible Harm (M) and Terroristic Threats (F).