Markel Paschal

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Name:
Paschal, Markel T

Date of Booking:
08/20/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault

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 Thursday, August 20, 2026, at approximately 15:25 hours, I, Officer Hill, was dispatched to 709 Breedlove Dr., Ridgeview Institute, in reference to an assault call. Dispatch advised that one patient had struck another patient in the head with a chair.

Upon arrival with the entire patrol shift, we entered the building and were guided by Ridgeview staff to the elevator. While inside the building, a male, whose authority or role with Ridgeview was unknown, attempted to inform us that since the altercation was over, law enforcement was not needed and that we needed to leave. We informed the male, who appeared to possibly be a director, that since an assault had occurred, law enforcement would speak with both parties and determine what further action was necessary.

Ridgeview staff guided us to the North 2 floor/wing to ensure everything was under control. Upon reaching the area where the assault occurred, we observed medical staff attending to the victim. I approached the victim, who was identified as [VICTIM #1] ([REDACTED]), a 15-year-old juvenile. When I attempted to speak with [VICTIM #1] regarding what had occurred, he appeared disoriented and was unable to identify where he was, when he arrived at Ridgeview, or what had happened to his left eyebrow. Due to his condition, [VICTIM #1] was unable to provide any further information regarding the incident.

There were two Ridgeview staff members who witnessed the incident. The first witness, [WITNESS #1], stated that he observed the patients begin arguing over a female and the making of gang signs. [WITNESS #1] stated that Markel Paschal, the subject who struck [VICTIM #1] with the chair, became angry, walked around some pillars in the area, grabbed a chair, and threw it at [VICTIM #1]. The chair struck [VICTIM #1] from behind in the area of his left eyebrow, slightly above the eyebrow.

The second witness, [WITNESS #2], provided a similar account of the incident. [WITNESS #2] stated that the argument began over the manner in which [VICTIM #1] was looking at and making comments toward a young female who was also a patient at Ridgeview. [WITNESS #2] also stated that [VICTIM #1] was making some form of gang signs when Markel made a statement to [VICTIM #1] regarding the comments toward the female. Markel then stated that he did not care what gang [VICTIM #1] believed he was associated with and that [VICTIM #1] should not be making those comments.

Medical staff initially attempted to place us in a confined room and advised that they would bring Markel out to speak with us. Due to the severity of the reported assault and the potential officer-safety concerns associated with being confined in a room with the subject, we advised staff that we would wait in the hallway. Ridgeview staff subsequently brought Markel to the elevator area after administering medication to help ensure that he remained calm and did not become confrontational, engage in a physical altercation, or attempt to flee.

Markel was brought to us without incident. Prior to speaking with him, Markel was placed in handcuffs. The handcuffs were checked for proper fit and double-locked to prevent injury. Markel was also searched incident to arrest. I read Markel his Miranda Rights Warning, which he acknowledged and agreed to speak with me.

I asked Markel what had occurred, and he provided an account that was consistent with the statements provided by the two witnesses. Markel stated that [VICTIM #1] was making inappropriate comments toward a juvenile female at Ridgeview. Markel stated that he told [VICTIM #1] to stop making the comments, but [VICTIM #1] continued. Markel stated that this caused him to become excessively angry, at which point he walked around, grabbed a chair, and threw it, striking [VICTIM #1] with the chair.

Witness #1: [WITNESS #1] [REDACTED]
Witness #2: [WITNESS #2] [REDACTED]
Victim: [VICTIM #1] / Mother’s Phone [REDACTED]

Markel was placed in the rear of my marked patrol vehicle and transported to the Walton County Jail without incident. Warrants requested for Aggravated Assault. While speaking with a Judge, advising that I believed Aggravated Battery also fit, I was advised to wait on charging Aggravated Battery and allow the District Attorney’s office add additional charges if they deem necessary.

[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:

8/25/26

BOND SHEET FILED

What this means: Markel T Paschal, accused of aggravated assault in Walton County Superior Court (Case No. SUWR2026002203), had a bond sheet filed. A bond sheet documents the defendant’s custody status, bail amount (if any), and conditions of release pending trial. This is a standard administrative step following arrest.

8/26/26

INDIGENT DEFENSE ORDER FILED

What this means: An indigent defense order was filed in the case of Markel T Paschal in Walton County Superior Court (Case No. SUWR2026002203). An indigent defense order is a court filing related to legal representation in the case.