Chante’ Merrill

Name:
Merrill, Chante’ Meshawn

Date of Booking:
08/01/2026

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.]

On August 1st, 2026, at approximately 00:24 hours I, Officer Gibbs, responded to the listed address regarding a domestic dispute. Information given described a gun being pulled and the caller being hit in the head with the gun, and that a female was attempting to break into a room.

Dispatch also advised there was history associated with the address of a subject that is known to carry weapons and utilize them to shoot at officers. Due to the context, I responded to the address operating my patrol unit as an emergency vehicle utilizing lights and siren for a quick response. Upon approach, I heard a loud verbal argument between two females however no specific threats were being made.

I knocked on the door to which [VICTIM #1] answered. She stated her and the other female, who was now in the bathroom, were the only two there and she now had the gun but the other female had previously hid it from her. I then attempted to speak to the other female, later identified as Chante’ Merrill who was also on the phone with dispatch.

Through the door I ensured she did not need medical attention. I heard her say she did not have the gun and that officers could open the door as she did not want to move and put herself in danger. I then opened the door. She stated she did not know where the gun was and also confirmed they were the only two subjects there. I then ensured they were separated and interviewed them. She continued to reiterate that [VICTIM #1] struck her in the head with a gun. I did not observe any injury to her head or otherwise at this time.

She explained that they had issues in the past, however a gun was never involved. Tonight, [VICTIM #1] told her not to return until [VICTIM #1] was ready for her to return. She stated again [VICTIM #1] struck her in the head with a gun but did not elaborate. She then expanded that [VICTIM #1] had warned her not to return without notice otherwise “there would be a problem.” Chante then had her aunt drop her off.

Upon returning to the residence, [VICTIM #1] opened the door and briefly spoke to Chante’s aunt. Afterwords, a verbal altercation ensued in which [VICTIM #1] accused Chante of hanging out with other females. [VICTIM #1] then “just started tweaking.” [VICTIM #1] struck Chante in the head with the gun, and then started hitting herself [[VICTIM #1]] in the face threatening to call the police. When asked about the gun, Chante did not know where it came from and stated she only observed it on the counter when she came out of the shower. [VICTIM #1] accused Chante of stealing it which she denied and stated she would have no idea where it would be at now.

She then called her aunt that dropped her off. Her aunt stated she did not witness or know anything about an altercation or argument occurring.

I then met with [VICTIM #1] who advised Chante came home and continued to speak in an attempt to instigate an argument, however she continued to ignore Chante. Chante then followed her into a room so she again separated herself. After Chante showered, [VICTIM #1] came back into the room in which an argument ensued. While gathering her things to leave, [VICTIM #1] noticed her bag felt light and remembered she had left her gun in the bathroom however it was not there when she looked for it.

Chante then told her where the gun was, however the magazine was missing which is not normal and [VICTIM #1] did not unload her gun. She stated during this verbal altercation, Chante grabbed her which led to a physical altercation in which she could not breathe. She clarified Chante had grabbed her around the neck. There was a visible injury to [VICTIM #1]’s neck line which is consistent with nails around the neck area. These injuries are commonly seen in cases where one party places their hands around the other’s neck and applies pressure. A photograph was taken and uploaded to Axon Evidence.

During this investigation, other officers also located the bag which contained the firearm at this time.

I then called dispatch and spoke with the call taker who advised the only threat they were able to hear was their caller, Chante’, stating something to the effect of “If I kill you now we will have a problem.” I requested they save the audio, which I will receive a copy of at a later date and upload to Axon Evidence.

Without a third party witness or further evidence, both parties admitting a physical altercation occurred, and the victim having visible injury consistent with testimony of being strangled; Chante Merrill was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault under OCGA 16-5-21. She was placed in handcuffs behind the back which were checked for fit and double locked. She was escorted to patrol unit 131 where she was searched by a female and then placed in the rear passenger compartment which was checked prior to and following her transport.

She was transported to Floyd County Jail where she was booked in on a fact sheet. Upon the jail staff searching her property, it was discovered multiple of [VICTIM #1]’s bank cards were in her possession. I then returned them to [VICTIM #1].

[End of Narrative]