Syniah Rankin

Name:
Rankin, Syniah Faith

Date of Booking:
08/05/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Battery

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 15 July 2026, at 0318 hours, I, Officer Mark Miller, Patrol Division, Warner Robins Police Department (WRPD), was dispatched to Richmond Apartments, [1000 BLOCK] Feagin Mill Road, Warner Robins, in reference to assault or battery having occurred at Lenox Pointe Apartments, [2000 BLOCK] Karl Drive, Warner Robins.

At approximately 0326 hours, I met with [WITNESS #1], DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1984, phone: [REDACTED BY AGENCY], outside of apartment [REDACTED]. I learned his 17-year-old daughter, [VICTIM #1], DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/2008, phone: [REDACTED BY AGENCY], lives here with her biological mother, [REDACTED]. [WITNESS #1] resides out of town and contacted law enforcement upon hearing what transpired from his daughter. [WITNESS #1] was present while I interviewed [VICTIM #1], who provided the following information:

[VICTIM #1] is a Houston County High School senior student. She attended previous grades with 17-year-old Syniah Rankin, DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/2008, phone: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] who currently attends Veterans High School. [VICTIM #1] said they have remained friends for around two years, but have not talked much recently after a disagreement a few weeks ago. Over this past weekend, there was a rumour shared about [VICTIM #1] communicating with Rankin’s boyfriend.

Earlier tonight, (previous calender date) [VICTIM #1] said Rankin called several times, yelling angrily and incoherently. Soon after, texting [VICTIM #1]’s phone, “I’m outside” at 2148 hours. [VICTIM #1] went outside to see Rankin arrived with several cars, full of people, a few she recognized as football players from school. She did not want to have a conversation with Rankin in the presence of this entourage. She asked why all these people came to her mom’s house. Rankin suggested she go to Lenox Pointe apartments by Rigby’s, about three miles away. [VICTIM #1] said she does not know of anyone who lives there.

[VICTIM #1] accessed her video doorbell device on her mobile phone which viewed the parking lot. I watched the recording on her mobile phone while she provided some narration. I saw a car park in the space in front of [VICTIM #1]’s door, followed soon after by two other cars. I could not see any people in the frame but could hear voices talking.

[VICTIM #1] walks into the parking lot and within a few seconds, a voice yells, “apartments”. [VICTIM #1] returns in view of the camera and leaves in her car, with everyone else. I asked [VICTIM #1] why she left with the group. She said her expectation was to have a verbal encounter to address this rumour. She did not anticipate any physical altercation.

At approximately 2200 hours, [VICTIM #1] said she entered through the Lenox Pointe front gate and turned left into a parking area. As everyone gathered outside, Rankin took off her shoes and approached [VICTIM #1] yelling provocations. Recognizing they were not going to just talk, [VICTIM #1] returned to her car hearing Rankin yell about how she was scared. She started the car and was shifting the gear when Rankin opened her front passenger door, entered the passenger area and began striking at her head with a fist.

One strike landed on her right eye, causing her to bend over, as following strikes landed in areas she pointed to under her hair. She could not use her hands to block the strikes because they were on the vehicle controls in gear. After an estimated 10 seconds, Rankin was pulled away by members of the gathered group. [VICTIM #1] could not see out of her right eye and decided not to attempt driving.

She recognized a friend from school named [WITNESS #1], who appeared at her car asking if she was okay. She said [WITNESS #1] arranged to drive her and her car back to Richmond Apartments. [VICTIM #1] took a picture of her eye at Lenox Pointe and after returning home. She said the loss of vision was temporary and has since restored, but was still experiencing pain to her eye.

I saw [VICTIM #1] had redness, discoloration and slight swelling to her right eyelid and cheek area. She also had a bright red dot and red streaks on the globe wall of her right eye. I took pictures of [VICTIM #1] as observed, using my assigned mobile device, depicting her overall-front, face and hands. There were no marks to her hands.

[VICTIM #1] showed me the text message conversation to Rankin from tonight. I did not recognize any messages discussing or arranging mutual combat. Messages received after this incident included disparaging remarks, an apology for punching her eye and questions about pressing charges. After [VICTIM #1] messaged Rankin to leave her alone, her number was blocked on this device.

At approximately 0400 hours, my interview about this incident concluded. [VICTIM #1] was willing to pursue criminal prosecution and [WITNESS #1] supported her decision. He mentioned her mother may have a different opinion as the primary custodian. I did not meet with [REDACTED], who was presumed to be asleep at this time. I told [WITNESS #1] and [VICTIM #1] this investigation may take some time to identify and interview other persons. I provided them with a case card and discussed where to seek prosecution as citizens if any following investigation does not develop formal charges.

Follow-up contact with a custodial parent or guardian will be attempted before filing charges on behalf of the victim.

No contact was attempted with other named persons on the report date due to the time of day.

I attached my pictures of [VICTIM #1], and the pictures she provided to this case as digital image files.

[End of Narrative]