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Name:
Williams, Christian Deontez
Date of Booking:
02/14/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – 5 Counts
THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY- FELONY
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE
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 Friday, February 13th, 2026, at approximately 0455 hours, The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to [1100 BLOCK] D’Antignac Street in reference to a shooting.
Upon arrival, Deputies were advised that shots had been fired into the residence from the exterior of the home. Deputies spoke with five victims that were inside the residence when it was struck by gunfire. Investigators later responded to the scene and began gathering evidence regarding the shooting.
Throughout the investigation, it was determined through video footage that a light-colored Hyundai Accent was being driven by the suspects in the shooting. Investigators were able to identify the vehicle through Intel and FLOCK Camera Images as a gold 2016 Hyundai Accent (GA Tag: [REDACTED] VIN: [REDACTED]) valued at $6000.00 that had been reported stolen at 0613 hours at [700 BLOCK] Woodhill Trail by the owner, [VICTIM #1].
The investigation revealed that the listed subjects identified as Jaleel Gantt, Eric Merriweather, Zatoria Griffin, Zykerria Merriweather, Christian Williams, and Julianna Rodriguez occupied the vehicle while using it during the shooting.
Investigators located Eric Merriweather, Zatoria Griffin, Zykerria Merriweather, Christian Williams, and Julianna Rodriguez at [3200 BLOCK] York Drive which is close to the location where the vehicle was stolen from. Jaleel Gantt was the only subject not at the location. The vehicle had not been located at this time either, but all of the subjects admitted to being in the vehicle with Jaleel Gantt.
Jaleel Gantt was determined to be the driver of the vehicle during the time of the shooting. None of the subjects could explain where the vehicle was or how they obtained it. There was no evidence of them attempting to return the vehicle to its owner.
All of the subjects were arrested in connection to the shooting and were additionally charged with Theft by Receiving Stolen Property – Felony for being in possession of the stolen vehicle. Warrants were obtained on the subjects as well as Jaleel Gantt, who is not in custody.
This Investigation was turned over to the Lead Investigator, Devante Brown.
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:
There are listed co-defendants in this case. Please see Jaleel Shaheim Gantt, Eric Leon Merriweather Jr, Zatoria Rikiah Griffin, Julianna Raven Rodriguez, and Zykeria Kurshawna Merriweather for additional information.
2/18/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY KHARY J. TALLEY ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Attorney Khary J. Talley has officially joined the case as Christian Deontez Williams’s defense lawyer. This is the formal notification to the court that he will be representing him.
2/18/26
LEAD PROSECUTOR WILLIAM HAMMOND ASSIGNED
What this means: William Hammond has been designated as the prosecutor handling the case for the State against Christian Deontez Williams in Richmond County Superior Court.
4/15/26
REQUEST FOR BOND HEARING FILED
What this means: A request has been made for a hearing to determine whether Christian Deontez Williams should be released from custody before trial and, if so, under what conditions (such as bail or bond amounts).
4/21/26
MOTION CALENDAR HEARING
What this means: Christian Deontez Williams appeared before the court on the motion calendar at 9:30 a.m. This is a hearing where the judge considers motions filed by either side — requests for rulings on procedural or legal matters.
4/28/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT
What this means: A grand jury has formally charged Christian Deontez Williams by indictment in Richmond County Superior Court (Case No. 2026RCCR00475). An indictment means the grand jury found probable cause that he committed the crime or crimes alleged. The specific charges are not detailed in the available information.
4/28/26
NOTICE OF SUBSEQUENT INDICTMENT ASSIGNMENT LETTER ISSUED
What this means: The court has issued a notice assigning the case following the indictment. This is a routine administrative step that confirms the case assignment after the grand jury’s formal charging decision.
6/10/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED
What this means: Christian Deontez Williams is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 9:00 a.m. on the Richmond Superior Court arraignment calendar. At arraignment, he will be informed of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
6/17/26
NOTICE OF DEFENDANT’S ELECTION TO PROCEED UNDER O.C.G.A. SECTION 17-16-1 AND CONSOLIDATED MOTIONS AND DEMANDS FOR DISCOVERY FILED
What this means: Christian Deontez Williams has filed a notice electing to proceed under Georgia’s speedy trial statute (O.C.G.A. Section 17-16-1), which sets time limits for bringing a case to trial. Along with this election, he has filed consolidated motions and demands for discovery — requests for the prosecution to turn over evidence, witness statements, scientific reports, and other materials relevant to his defense.
6/22/26
STATE’S DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY FILED
What this means: The prosecution has filed its own demand for discovery, requesting that the defense provide evidence, statements, reports, and other materials in its possession that are relevant to the case.
8/19/26
BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 1:30 P.M.
What this means: A hearing has been scheduled for 8/19/26 at 1:30 p.m. to determine whether Christian Deontez Williams should be released from custody before trial and under what conditions. At this hearing, the judge will consider factors such as the severity of the charges, his ties to the community, criminal history, and flight risk.