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Name:
Merriweather, Eric Leon, Jr
Date of Booking:
02/14/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY- FELONY
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – 5 Counts
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING CRIME
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, Zatoria Rikiah Griffin, Christian Deontez Williams, Julianna Raven Rodriguez, and Zykeria Kurshawna Merriweather for additional information.
2/18/26
NOTICE OF LEAD PROSECUTOR
What this means: The state has designated the prosecutor who will handle Eric Leon Merriweather Jr.’s case in Richmond Superior Court (Case No. 2026RCCR00475).
3/27/26
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE BY TIMOTHY O’BRIEN
What this means: Timothy O’Brien has officially entered the case as Eric Leon Merriweather Jr.’s attorney.
3/27/26
MOTION FOR BOND HEARING
What this means: A request has been filed for a hearing to determine whether Eric Leon Merriweather Jr. should be released from custody before trial and, if so, under what conditions (such as bail or bond).
4/9/26
NOTICE OF BOND
What this means: The court has issued a notice regarding Eric Leon Merriweather Jr.’s bond status, likely setting the terms under which he may be released pending trial.
4/20/26
ORDER (BOUND OVER)
What this means: A judge has determined there is probable cause that Eric Leon Merriweather Jr. committed the crimes he is accused of, and the case is moving forward from the preliminary hearing stage to superior court for trial.
4/28/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 17 COUNTS FILED AGAINST ERIC LEON MERRIWEATHER JR.
What this means: A grand jury has formally charged Eric Leon Merriweather Jr. with 17 felony counts related to events on 2/13/2026. The charges are: five counts of aggravated assault (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21); six counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-106); two counts of criminal damage to property in the first degree (O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22); one count of criminal damage to property in the second degree (O.C.G.A. § 16-7-23); one count of theft by receiving stolen property (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-7). An indictment is the formal charging document that allows the case to proceed to trial in Richmond Superior Court (Case No. 2026RCCR00475).
4/28/26
NOTICE OF SUBSEQUENT INDICTMENT ASSIGNMENT LETTER
What this means: The court has notified the parties that a judge has been assigned to handle Eric Leon Merriweather Jr.’s indicted case going forward.
6/10/26
ARRAIGNMENT CALENDAR
What this means: Eric Leon Merriweather Jr. is scheduled to appear in court at 9:00 a.m. for arraignment, where he will be informed of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
6/22/26
STATE’S DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY
What this means: The prosecution has formally requested that the defense provide all evidence, witness statements, police reports, and other materials related to the charges against Eric Leon Merriweather Jr. Discovery is the legal process that allows both sides to exchange evidence before trial. The defense must respond to this demand within the time set by law or court order.