Brandon Araiza

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Name:
Araiza, Brandon Emanuel

Date of Booking:
03/19/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggressive Driving

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

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 03/19/2026 at approximately 1132 hours, I, Deputy Nicholas Passig, did respond to Wendy Bagwell Parkway and Isley Stamper Rd in reference to assisting another agency.

Upon arriving on the scene, I met with David Reid, who is currently employed with the Cobb County Police Department, in full uniform, driving a unmarked patrol vehicle, and just finishing SWAT training. David stated he was driving in the left lane on Bill Carruth Highway when the vehicle cut him off, and begins to slow down. David stated he pulled into the left-turn lane and, as the vehicle pulled up, the window started to roll down. He began to roll his window down and said, “What’s the deal?” David stated that it was then he noticed the driver had what appeared to be a Glock 19X and was holding it near his face, and that he could see the barrel.

David stated he exited his vehicle, went around his vehicle, and began to draw his firearm. David stated that he pointed to his partner to stop the vehicle. His partner began following the vehicle, and they pulled it over on Wendy Bagwell Pkwy at Isley Stamper Rd. They were able to detain the driver (later identified as Brandon Araiza).

After speaking with David, I read Miranda rights to Brandon Araiza, and he agreed to talk with me. I asked Brandon what happened, and he stated he was on his way to cash his checks at the bank. While on Bill Carruth Parkway, he got into the wrong lane of travel, and while changing lanes back to his lane, he cut off the vehicle behind him. Brandon then stated that the vehicle pulled up next to him, and the window rolled down, and he “wasn’t thinking”. Brandon stated that he flashed the firearm.

I asked Brandon if he knew that it was a cop, and he stated he did not know until they pulled him over. Brandon stated that the firearm was not loaded and that he didn’t fully show it. Brandon also stated later that the slide of the gun was pointed at the officer but not fully pointed at him.

A Glock19X SN: CBFV871 was recovered by assisting officers on scene and was found with a full magazine. I then placed Brandon under arrest for Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon and aggressive driving. I transported Brandon to the Paulding County Detention Center to be booked in. I entered the Glock19X into evidence and later took out warrants for Brandon. No further police action was taken. I returned to service.

[End of Narrative]

All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.

Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

3/25/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY ELIZABETH SHIVELY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR BRANDON EMANUEL ARAIZA

What this means: Attorney Elizabeth Shively of H & S Law, LLC (Henrickson & Sereebutra) in Dallas, Georgia formally notified the Paulding County Superior Court that she would be representing Brandon Emanuel Araiza in this case. This filing, submitted under Warrant Nos. 26-1203 and 26-1204, means all future court notices and hearing dates were to be directed to her on the defendant’s behalf.

3/25/26

DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND AND PROBABLE CAUSE/PRELIMINARY HEARING

What this means: Attorney Elizabeth Shively filed a formal motion asking the Paulding County Superior Court to set a bond for Brandon Emanuel Araiza and to schedule a probable cause hearing. The motion noted that Araiza had been in jail since his arrest on or about March 19, 2026, that no grand jury had yet considered the charges against him, and that he had no bond. Under Georgia law, a person held in jail without an indictment is entitled to a probable cause hearing — a proceeding where a judge reviews whether there was sufficient legal basis for the arrest. The defense argued Araiza was entitled to both a reasonable bond and that hearing.

3/30/26

JUDGE T. DAVID LYLES ISSUES RULE NISI — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 4/28/26

What this means: Judge T. David Lyles of the Paulding County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi — a court order directing both sides to appear for a hearing — scheduling a bond hearing for April 28, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 3 at 280 Constitution Blvd., Dallas, Georgia. The order also addressed the defense’s request for a probable cause hearing, stating that the Superior Court would not hear that portion of the motion, but that Brandon Emanuel Araiza could file for a probable cause hearing in Magistrate Court.

4/17/26

BRANDON EMANUEL ARAIZA RELEASED ON BOND

What this means: Brandon Emanuel Araiza was released from the Paulding County jail after posting an $11,200 appearance bond through Paulding Quick Bail, a bonding company. The bond was signed on April 17, 2026. Under the terms of the bond, Araiza is required to appear at all scheduled court dates — including arraignment, hearings, and trial. Failure to appear would result in the bond being forfeited and a bench warrant issued for his arrest.

7/13/26

GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 3 COUNTS FILED AGAINST BRANDON EMANUEL ARAIZA

What this means: During the July Term 2026, a Paulding County grand jury formally indicted Brandon Emanuel Araiza on three counts under Case No. 26-CR-000447-P4. A grand jury indictment means a panel of citizens reviewed the evidence presented by the prosecution and found enough probable cause to formally charge the defendant and send the case to Superior Court for trial. Brandon Emanuel Araiza is presumed innocent of all charges.

Count 1 charges Araiza with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21). The indictment alleges that on or about March 19, 2026, Araiza knowingly made an assault upon a peace officer who was engaged in the performance of his official duties, using a Glock pistol — allegedly pointing the firearm from his car through an open window at the officer.

Count 2 charges Araiza with Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21). This count alleges that on or about March 19, 2026, Araiza made an assault upon the same individual with a deadly weapon — a Glock pistol — by pointing the firearm from his car through an open window.

Count 3 charges Araiza with Aggressive Driving (O.C.G.A. 40-6-397). This count alleges that on or about March 19, 2026, Araiza unlawfully operated a Toyota Corolla on Bill Carruth Parkway with the intent to annoy, harass, and obstruct another person — allegedly cutting the person off by changing lanes into their immediate path and then deliberately slowing down and applying his brakes to obstruct them.

The indictment was signed by District Attorney Robert S. Lane of the Paulding Judicial Circuit.

7/22/26

ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASHLEY MCDONALD ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR THE STATE

What this means: Ashley McDonald, an Assistant District Attorney for the Paulding Judicial Circuit, formally entered her appearance as lead counsel for the State of Georgia in the case against Brandon Emanuel Araiza (Case No. 26-CR-000447-P4). This filing, dated July 22, 2026, means McDonald replaced any previously assigned prosecutor and will be the primary attorney handling the case on behalf of the State going forward.

7/31/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY ELIZABETH SHIVELY RE-ENTERS APPEARANCE IN SUPERIOR COURT CASE; FILES MOTION FOR DISCOVERY, WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT, NOT GUILTY PLEA, AND JURY TRIAL REQUEST

What this means: Following the grand jury’s indictment and the assignment of a formal Superior Court case number (26-CR-000447-P4), attorney Elizabeth Shively of H & S Law, LLC filed multiple documents on July 31, 2026. She formally re-established herself as counsel of record for Brandon Emanuel Araiza in the Superior Court case. At the same time, she filed a Motion for Discovery, requesting that the State provide all evidence and witness information in its possession related to the charges. She also filed a Waiver of Arraignment, meaning Brandon Emanuel Araiza waived his right to a formal arraignment hearing and instead entered a plea of Not Guilty to all three counts. Finally, she requested that the case proceed to trial by jury, meaning Araiza will have the right to have a panel of citizens hear the evidence and decide whether he is guilty or not guilty of the charges against him.