Phillip Woodson

Name:
Woodson, Phillip Bernerd

Date of Booking:
09/04/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Participation in criminal gang activity

Aggravated Assault

Possession of Firearm or Knife During Certain Crimes

Theft by Receiving Stolen Property

Possession Marijuana less than 1 ounce

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 09/03/2025 at approximately 21:23 hours, I was dispatched to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], in reference to a domestic.

While en route to the residence, dispatch advised a dark grey Lincoln Town Car, later identified as bearing, Georgia tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had fled the scene, after approximately six rounds were fired from the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was reported to be traveling on Collins Avenue away from Brantley Road.

I advised officers I would travel north on Houston Lake Boulevard, in an attempt to intercept the vehicle. While traveling northbound, I observed a vehicle, matching the given description traveling southbound and entering [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I entered the parking lot and requested dispatch to run the vehicle’s tag. Dispatch confirmed the vehicle was registered to a male involved in the incident, later identified as John Barreiro.

At the front of the vehicle, I observed two individuals: a black male, later identified as Phillip Woodson and a white male, identified as John Barreiro. Officers made contact with both individuals and detained them in handcuffs, which were double-locked.

While speaking with Corporal Ewing, I observed Woodson, who had been positioned near the front bumper of my patrol vehicle, leave that position and move nearby. When questioned about his actions, Woodson stated he had sneezed due to an ear infection. However, I later discovered Woodson had discarded evidence at the scene.

I requested Woodson’s identification, which he provided. Dispatch advised the victim, identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY], stated she did not know who fired the weapon, but believed Barreiro should have possession of it and the firearm should be red in color. Barreiro admitted, stating, “You’ve seen me with a red .22 before.” He also said [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told him to leave her property, so he did, and that was the extent of the interaction. Barreiro stated upon leaving the residence, a black male known by the street name [REDACTED BY AGENCY], fired a firearm. He was unable to provide a description of the weapon.

Corporal Ewing advised he would return to the incident location, to make contact with the caller [REDACTED BY AGENCY], and canvass the area for spent ammunition casings.

I began questioning Barreiro about his whereabouts, prior to our contact. He stated he had picked up Woodson from [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Barreiro said he had been at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] residence earlier because her boyfriend, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] who is allegedly Barreiro’s son, had contacted him to fight. Barreiro said he went to [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. He also admitted to discharging the red handgun in question a few days prior while in Brunswick, Georgia.

I then interviewed Woodson, regarding his whereabouts at the time of the incident. Woodson claimed he was picked up by Barreiro after the incident had occurred. While speaking with him, I detected the odor of marijuana on his breath.

Corporal Ewing returned to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and advised Barreiro he had recovered approximately six, .22 caliber casings from the scene. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had also provided a description of the firearm.

At this point, I conducted a search of the vehicle. On the driver-side floorboard, between the seat and the door, I located two spent .22 caliber casings. In the passenger glove compartment, I found two boxes of 5.56 Winchester ammunition. Under the passenger seat, between the wiring and the seat adjustment bar, I discovered a red and black Ruger Mark IV .22 caliber handgun, bearing serial number [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. The magazine was inserted in the firearm, though empty, and the slide was locked to the rear-indicating, based on my training and experience, the firearm had been fired to depletion.

Dispatch later confirmed the handgun had been reported stolen, out of Warner Robins, Georgia. Additionally, I observed a black flip phone, which was later turned over to Barreiro’s partner.

Officers separated Barreiro and Woodson into different patrol vehicles, for further questioning. While attempting to escort Woodson to Corporal Ewing’s vehicle, he tensed his body and refused to walk, stating he was not involved. I had to physically guide him toward the patrol vehicle. Both individuals were secured in patrol vehicles.

I then canvassed the area where Woodson had previously stood near my patrol vehicle and located a clear plastic baggie, containing suspected marijuana. The baggie was wet and appeared to have been chewed. It was secured in an evidence bag.

Once both individuals were secured, Barreiro was read his Miranda rights, which he waived. To my knowledge, he did not provide any new information beyond his initial statements.

Woodson was also read his Miranda rights and waived them. He stated he was not present at the time of the altercation and said, “I told you he shot the gun.” He maintained Barreiro had picked him up from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] after the incident. When asked about the firearm found under the passenger seat, Woodson claimed he did not know how it got there.

I transferred Woodson to my patrol vehicle, for transport alongside Barreiro. While escorting him, Woodson again tensed his body, resisting placement into the vehicle. A search of Woodson’s person, revealed multiple pills-later identified as antibiotics and pain relievers-as well as one unknown-caliber Hornady round, one .22 caliber round (unknown make), and some loose change, concealed in his shorts. The change was later turned over to the jail.

Woodson and Barreiro were transported to the Houston County Detention Center without further incident.

All evidence recovered from the vehicle and incident scene was documented, sealed, and placed into evidence locker #6. The vehicle was turned over to [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Witness statements were completed, to which revealed Barreiro and Woodson were inside of the vehicle in question, and fired outside of the window approximately 6 rounds within the neighborhood of [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Witness statements also confirmed, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had agreed to fight with Barreiro, however the terms were no weapons and the fight could not have occurred on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] property. Both witness statements also confirmed after the two men in the vehicle had fired the approximately 6 rounds, they had fled by revving the engine in the vehicle and drove away heading towards Collins Avenue.

[End of Narrative]