Joseph Simpson

Name:
Simpson, Joseph Jovante

Date of Booking:
03/16/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault

Terroristic Threats and Acts

Reckless Conduct

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 March 16, 2025, at approximately 1215 hours, Deputy D. Thomas, Corporal Moore, Lieutenant Stelzer, and I, Deputy Andrews, were at the Park-N-Ride located at 2115 Sigman Rd when we heard gunshots to the south on Sigman Rd. Approximately a minute later, 911 Communications dispatched a trouble unknown call from [800 BLOCK] Saint Clair Dr SW, where loud noise was captured during the call and a male stated, “You pulled a gun on me.” This male then told dispatch that his stepson pulled a gun on him and left the location. The stepson is Joseph Simpson, 26 years old, who was wearing a brown sweatshirt and had dreads.

The deputies all responded in our marked Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and were in our Class B issued uniforms. Upon my arrival, I observed a black male, approximately 26 years old, wearing a black hoodie and dark sweatpants, speaking with another male on the first floor at building 8. I asked the male, “What is your name?” and he replied, “Joseph.” I then asked if he was involved in an incident with his parents, and he said yes. I asked him if he had any guns on him, and he replied with no. I was unable to ascertain if Joseph was still armed with a gun, so I had him place his hands on top of his head and slowly walked backwards toward me, and he complied with my command. I then conducted a pat down for weapons on Joseph, and he was unarmed.

I began to speak with Joseph about the incident. According to Joseph, he was upset about his belongings that he could not locate inside the apartment. He was involved in an argument with his mother, [WITNESS #1], and stepfather, [VICTIM #1]. During the argument, [VICTIM #1] intervened, and Joseph did not like [VICTIM #1] stepping into the conversation. Joseph has some trauma from losing his biological father and has admitted to using illegal street drugs to cope with his lifestyle and how he grew up. Joseph didn’t mention that a physical assault occurred. I provided [VICTIM #1] with a witness statement form to fill out in reference to the incident.

Next, I walked up to [800 BLOCK] St. Clair Dr. and met with [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #1]. Upon entering the apartment, I noticed [WITNESS #1] was having a phone conversation, and I spoke with [VICTIM #1], who greeted me near the door. I interviewed [VICTIM #1] near the front door and later entered the bedroom for a demonstration by [VICTIM #1] of the incident. According to [VICTIM #1], he heard Joseph yelling about his phone charger and demanding that the juveniles in the home look for it. [WITNESS #1] stepped in and had some words with [VICTIM #1] about his disturbance in the home. [VICTIM #1] didn’t agree with how Joseph responded to [WITNESS #1] and intervened in the conversation. At some point, Joseph began pushing and shoving [VICTIM #1]. The altercation escalated when [VICTIM #1] was standing in his bedroom while Joseph was in the living room area. Joseph pointed what appeared to be a black Glock handgun at [VICTIM #1] and said, “I’ll pop your a*s!” [VICTIM #1] then told Joseph he had to leave. [VICTIM #1] hit the emergency alert on his smartwatch to dial 911. After the interview, [VICTIM #1] continued writing his statement about the incident.

I then spoke to [WITNESS #1] in the living room bedroom about the incident. [WITNESS #1] said Joseph suffers from trauma from his childhood until now regarding how he was raised. She believes Joseph is angry that she did not treat him right while growing up. She has been trying to get Joseph the medical help he needs. During Joseph’s outburst today, he began yelling about his phone charger in the home and turned towards her husband. Joseph threatened her husband, and he did point the gun at [VICTIM #1] during the incident. [WITNESS #1] decided she didn’t want to write a statement about the incident. [WITNESS #1] added that the children didn’t witness the altercation involving the gun.

[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]

Based on the investigation, Joseph was arrested for the following criminal charges:

• Aggravated Assault (OCGA 16-5-21)
• Terroristic Threats and Acts (OCGA 16-11-37)
• Reckless Conduct (OCGA 16-5-60)

National EMS entered the scene and provided medical attention to Joseph. After EMS evaluation, Joseph was cleared to be transported to jail.

I then transported Joseph to Rockdale County Jail. Joseph exited my patrol vehicle, and he was searched for a second time; it was discovered he had a flammable lighter, paper, and aluminum foil rolled in his light-colored sweatpants underneath his black sweatpants. I removed the items from his pocket before he entered the jail.

[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]

My investigation of the incident was recorded on my Axon body-worn camera (serial #X60AJ981X). Later, I returned to the jail and served three signed criminal arrest warrants signed by Judge S. Mullins to Joseph.

[End of Narrative]