Christopher Santiago

Name:
Santiago, Christopher

Date of Booking:
07/08/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS

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 7-08-2025, at 1410 hours, I was dispatched to 205 W General Screven Way (Little Cesars) in reference to an armed subject. Central advised that the complainant stated a man wearing a white shirt and black shorts went inside the business where he began pointing a gun at employees with a white female wearing a white shirt.

Officer Mercer #191, Officer Thomas #147, and I arrived on scene and were advised the male had left.

A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, came to my patrol car and showed me a picture. The picture showed the license plate (Ga tag # [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) on a white Lexus SUV which the suspects fled in. He stated he was in the parking lot when he observed a male wearing a white shirt and black shorts walk out of Little Caesars with a small black handgun in his left hand. He stated it appeared to be a Glock but was unsure. He stated he took a picture of the license plate because the male and a female got into that vehicle and left the scene quickly.

I provided the vehicle info and tag number to other officers via my radio and soon after, Scpl Smith #144, Spo Coetzee #131, and Officer Stone #177 located and stopped the vehicle. The two subjects (Christopher Santiago and Tiffani Bryden) matched descriptions that were given by the complainant to dispatch.

I made contact with the assistant manger and complainant [WITNESS #1] who stated an employee [VICTIM #1] went outside to grab food from the Ms Bryden (a door dash order). He returned inside and shortly after, Mr Santiago and Ms Bryden entered the store. Mr [WITNESS #1] stated Mr Santiago entered and had a handgun in his hand. He stated he told him to leave all the while Mr Santiago was yelling “where’s he at” repeatedly. Mr Santiago then looked through the mobile pickup portal (warming trays that are on the wall, which can see into the kitchen area) he saw Mr [VICTIM #1] and pointed the barrel of the handgun toward the windows (in the direction of Mr [VICTIM #1]). Mr [WITNESS #1] then jumped over the counter and began pushing Mr Santiago out the door. Mr Santiago then stated “I’m gonna kill him”. Once Mr [WITNESS #1] pushed Mr Santiago out of the door Ms Bryden stepped outside and told him “he is gonna kill him.”. Mr [WITNESS #1] then locked the door and called 911.

I then spoke with Mr [VICTIM #1] who stated he grabbed his door dash order from Ms Bryden and walked back inside to continue working. He stated he heard commotion coming from the lobby and looked out the pick-up portal and saw Mr Santiago. He then saw Mr Santiago point the gun into the window toward him. He watched Mr [WITNESS #1] begin pushing Mr Santiago out the door. Mr [VICTIM #1] stated he heard Mr Santiago yell “I’m gonna shoot him.” So, he went to the counter and said, “if you got the gun out, shoot it”. Mr [WITNESS #1] then locked the door and called 911.

Mr [WITNESS #1] began working on providing camera footage of the incident. This process included him calling his district manager, who had to call corporate, who contacted me. The video footage was sent to me and attached to this report.

In one video, it shows Mr [VICTIM #1] obtain the order from Ms Bryden and return inside. There were words exchanged while Mr [VICTIM #1] was in the doorway. Mr [VICTIM #1] then walked to the back. Shortly after, Mr Santiago and Ms Bryden enter the business, Mr Santiago already having the gun in his hand. He begins speaking (appears to be yelling) and Mr [WITNESS #1] enters the frame, responding to him. Mr [WITNESS #1] then jumps over the counter and Mr Santiago leaves the frame, in the area of the pick-up portals. Mr [WITNESS #1] then grabs and begins to push Mr Santiago out of the store. Once he and Ms Bryden are outside, he locks the door and jumps back over the counter.

A second video shows the same thing, at a different angle. In this angle it shows Mr Santiago pointing the gun toward the pick-up portal while appearing to yell.

A third video shows a view of the exterior of the business. This shows Mr [VICTIM #1] go outside and obtain the order from Ms Bryden. Mr [VICTIM #1] says something to her and she shrugs her shoulders. He then opens the door and says something else. She shrugs her shoulders again and begins to walk away as Mr [VICTIM #1] enters and closes the door. As Ms Bryden walks toward a vehicle, Mr Santiago is seen coming from beside a vehicle. He takes a few steps forward, appearing to be talking to Ms Bryden, as he enters the frame, he already has a gun in his left hand. They both then walk toward the business and enter. Shortly after, they are pushed out, walk to their vehicle and leave the scene.

Through all the footage Ms Bryden, at no point, attempts to stop Mr Santiago. She does not appear to say anything once they are both inside the business but does not try to stop him.

Knowing Spcl Smith has Mr Santiago and Bryden detained, I advised him on the information I was given and both parties were placed under arrest. I advised Scpl Smith that the manager wanted them trespassed from this location, he advised that he verbally told them they are not to return.

I completed a criminal trespass notice for Mr Santiago and Ms Bryden.

I provided a victim’s rights pamphlet, case number, and instructions how to obtain a copy of this report.

Warrants will be obtained in the required time frame. My BWC was active during this incident.

The arrest and transport of the suspect followed department protocol consisting of the suspect being searched, handcuffs being applied, checked for fit and double locked. The suspect was placed in the backseat of Spo Coetzee and Officer Stone’s patrol vehicles and was seat belted in for transport. The vehicle was searched prior to and after transport with no contraband found.

The suspect was released to the custody of the Liberty County detention staff without incident.

[End of Narrative]