Jerald Hilliard

Name:
Hilliard, Jerald

Date of Booking:
11/23/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on November 23, 2025]

On 11/23/25 at approximately 2117 hours, I, Sergeant Kevin Gibson, Corporal Rambo, and Officer Welburn were dispatched to Clearview Hall (56 Clearview Circle) in reference to a person screaming.

Upon arrival, Cpl. Rambo located an individual, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who was crying. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had blood on her hoodie, her mouth, and visible markings on her neck. Her hoodie was torn on the back. Ofc. Welburn and I arrived a short time later.

While attempting to speak with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] there was a group of people standing nearby. One of the individuals, later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY], was accusing another of the individuals, Jerald Hilliard, of striking [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Ofc. Welburn and I went to where they were as Hilliard began to act aggressively towards [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Due to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] statements that Hilliard had struck [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and his aggressive behavior I detained Hilliard to prevent the situation from escalating further. Hilliard was placed in the rear of my patrol vehicle so that we could safely conduct our investigation. While I was detaining and placing him in the rear of my vehicle Hilliard began attempting to explain what happened. Once I had him secured I advised him that he could now explain what happened.

Hilliard advised that he and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had been arguing and that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had been the one who bit him but that he had not struck her.

I then returned to speak with [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Interview with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]:

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that he had been walking outside when he observed Hilliard strike [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the face. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that they then went to the ground but he did not see anything after this.

I then returned to speak with [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Interview with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]:

Police attempted to speak with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was extremely upset and crying. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] did state that Hilliard had struck her in the face causing injury to her lip and the blood on the hoodie. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] also stated that Hilliard had forcefully placed his hands around her neck and that she had begun to have trouble breathing due to this.

I returned to Hilliard to speak with him further.

Interview with Hilliard:

I advised Hilliard of his Miranda rights. He stated he understood and he agreed to speak with me. Hilliard stated that he had met [REDACTED] earlier in the evening and that they had been drinking. Hilliard stated when they got out of the vehicle [REDACTED BY AGENCY] became aggressive towards him and he then grabbed her but did not hit her. Hilliard then pushed her against the vehicle next to where they were parked. When he let go of her she kicked him and she bit him on the arm and then the other individuals approached.

Cpl. Rambo also spoke with two other witnesses. See his supplement for their statements.

Evidence Collection:

I took photographs of Hilliard’s injuries. I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if she would allow Police to take photographs of her injuries and she stated she did not wish to have them photographed.

Based on the witness statement, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] injuries and her statements probable cause was established that Hilliard did strike [REDACTED BY AGENCY] causing visible injury and placed his hands around her neck causing her to have difficulty breathing.

Hilliard was transported to the County Jail and has a pending Recorder’s Court appearance on 11/24/25 at 0800 hours.

Charged:

Jerald Hilliard 21
[REDACTED BY AGENCY]
5’10” 130Ibs [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Bro
[REDACTED BY AGENCY]

Charges:

Aggravated Assault Felony 16-5-21
Battery Misdemeanor 16-5-23.1

Case cleared by arrest.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on November 23, 2025]

On 11/23/2025 at 2120 hours, I, Cpl. D. Rambo, was dispatched Clearview Hall in reference to an unknown female screaming for help. Sgt. K. Gibson (and Officer Welburn) advised he would be headed to Clearview Hall as well.

When I entered the parking lot on the south side of Clearview Hall I noticed a white vehicle with it’s drivers door open. I got out to investigate thinking it was where an incident occurred. While checking out the vehicle a young black male (later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) yelled, “Hey that’s my car.” I asked him if he heard someone yelling. He said he went to check on [REDACTED] (real name [REDACTED BY AGENCY] the victim) to see why she was screaming.

I walked over to the group of students standing by a red Kia. I asked them who was screaming. None of them spoke up so I singled out one young female (later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) and asked her why she was screaming. She advised it wasn’t her. I turned to the next young female (later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) and asked, Was it you? An unknown young male pointed to the third young female saying it was her.

I asked her what was going on with her. She was visibly upset and crying. She said, “I’m sorry.” I asked her, why do you need to be sorry? I asked her, Did she get into a fight? Argue with somebody? She replied, “No sir.” I asked her, why she had blood on her shirt. There was blood on the lower right side of her gray hoodie and on the top left side by her shoulder. The gray hoodie was also badly torn.

I asked where was the blood coming from. Then I noticed her neck had abrasions and long red streaks going across the front of her neck from one side to the other. I could see one spot where it appeared the blood vessels (capillaries) were ruptured. I asked her why her neck was all tore up. I asked her who was choking her. At this point she started crying again. I asked her to step away from the group.

We walked away from the group and she sat down on the curb. I asked her. What’s going on young lady? She sat there silent crying. I asked her, who’s blood is on you? She stated it was from her lip. She reached up pointing to the left corner of her mouth. I asked her who caused the marks on her neck. She sat there silent crying. I told her we couldn’t help her if she didn’t give us some information. I told her it’s clear she was in a struggle with somebody and apparently they were trying to choke you. She sat silent crying. I asked her if she needed to call somebody. I asked her if she wanted EMS to come out and take a look at her. She replied, “No.”

I told her I need to know how the marks got around her neck. I told her it’s pretty serious. She said, “Sir, I’m so sorry.” I asked her if she got into a fight with somebody a mutual agreement to fight with somebody? She replied, “No.” I said, “So , who attacked you.” She said, “Nobody attacked me sir.” I replied, So what happened to your neck?” “If nobody attacked you.”

I asked her who hit her in the face and busted her lip. I told her from what I can see by looking at your hand your not hitting yourself. I asked her was it a male or female. She mumbled, “I don’t know.” I said, Because you don’t want them to get in trouble. I said, Do you think they care? They don’t care or they would not have done that to you. So why should you care about them. At this point she started crying harder.

I told her the other people on the scene are talking so we are probably going to find out. I reassure her that I just want to help her.

I hear someone behind me talking and saying something about her boyfriend. So I asked her who is her boyfriend. I said to her it’s going to come together and she should just go ahead and talk to get it off her chest.

We were interrupted by [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if she needed to call someone for her. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said, “No.” I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if she was there when the altercation occurred between her and him. She replied, “No.”

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated she was on the second floor inside Clearview Hall and could her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] screaming for help and her boyfriend screaming be quite, shut the hell up, stuff like that. She told me she heard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (another student) asking the couple if they where good? you all cool ? But she didn’t see anything.

I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY], Where is he at right now? I asked a second time. She replied, his not here anymore. I asked her if she was a student here. She said, “Yes.” I asked was he a student here. She said. “No, sir.” I told her that we know her boyfriend caused her injuries. She sat silent for a short period. I asked her if she had his information on her phone. I asked her if she could give him a call and get him to come back.

Sgt. K. Gibson advised me that he has the boyfriend in the backseat of his patrol car right now.

I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY], What is your boyfriends name? She said, “Gerald.” I didn’t understand and replied, “Ontario?” She replied louder, “Gerald.” I asked her, What’s Gerald’s last name? [REDACTED BY AGENCY] replied, Hilliard. I asked her, and why did he do this to you? She replied crying, “I don’t know.” I asked her if he hit her with a closed fist or open hand? How did he hit you? She said, “Closed.” I reply, “A closed fist.” She says, “Yes.”

I asked her how did her neck get all the marks across it. She mumbled, “He did it.” I asked her if he did it with his hands or with her hoodie? I advised her that she has abrasion marks across her neck. She said, “I feel so bad.” “I’m sorry.” Sgt. Gibson, Officer Welburn and I at the same time said, Your fine it’s not your fault, it’s okay. She again says, “I’m sorry.” I tell her that we are there one hundred percent to help her all the way. Sgt. Gibson reassures her it’s not her fault. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] starts crying again.

We are interrupted by [REDACTED BY AGENCY] bringing [REDACTED BY AGENCY] student ID card over. I used this time to take photograph of the back of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] hoodie torn up. I used the new body camera on field trial.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] continued sitting silent. I wanted to get her talking again so I asked her if she was a freshman or a sophomore here. She replied a senior. I asked her if he is from a local community here. She said, “No, he’s from Atlanta.” I reply, he just came down to visit you. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] nodded her head up and down a common gesture for yes.

I say to her, so you guys had a verbal altercation that turned physical. She again nods her head up and down. I asked her during the altercation did her restrict her air flow in any way. She faintly says, “Yes.” I reply, He did? was he using his hand or the clothing when that happened? She again softly says, his hands. I repeat it back to her, his hand. I ask her if its okay to take pictures of her neck. She shook her head left and right a common gesture for “No.” I asked her if she had her phone so she can place it on picture mode so she can look at her neck. I tell her I’m hoping that once she see it she will be comfortable with me taking pictures of her neck. She starts crying saying “l don’t want to see it.”

I walk over to Sgt. Gibson and brief him. He walks over to talk to her.

I asked her if she has any other injuries that I did not observe. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] shakes her head left to right meaning “No.” I asked her if he struck her anywhere else other than her face and the abrasions across your neck? She said, “No”.

I walked over to speak to the group. I asked all of them if anyone seen the altercation. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said he saw Gerald swing his fist and hit [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated she had her television up loud in her dorm room on the second floor and heard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] screaming “Help Me.” [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said she ran from the 2nd floor down to the parking lot. She told me when she arrived [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was lying on the ground and her belongings scattered in different places around her car.

I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if she felt comfortable testifying if it was needed. She said she would testify.

I spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated she saw them tussling beside the car. She said he was holding onto her and she was trying to push away. Then she started looking her way screaming please help me. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told me she didn’t want to walk over by herself seeing they were in a fight so she went inside to get help. When they returned they were still fighting. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was thrown on the ground and he was over by the car and didn’t have a shirt on.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] said [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was crying so bad she could even make a sentence. She couldn’t even talk.

I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if she would be comfortable testifying if it was needed. She said she would.

[End of Narrative]