The suspect in Sunday’s deadly stabbing close to the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail has a substantial criminal history, with 30 arrests under his belt, and was on probation for an aggravated assault case, as reported by the Atlanta Police Department.
Johnathan Hamby, aged 54, was apprehended on Monday and faces charges of murder, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and acts, and the possession of a deadly weapon during a felony. These serious charges relate to the tragic death of 29-year-old Ramon Harris, which occurred in proximity to a Kroger grocery store on Ponce de Leon Avenue.
According to Atlanta police, officers were dispatched around 4:01 p.m. following a stabbing alert. Upon arrival, they discovered Harris with a visible stab wound and promptly took a suspect into custody at the scene. Harris was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum highlighted Hamby’s history, having faced arrest over 30 times, including a 2022 incident leading to charges of aggravated assault and felony-related knife possession. (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities explained that the stabbing ensued from an argument involving Hamby, Harris, and another man, following Hamby’s alleged threats of violence. This violent episode unfolded near Atlanta’s renowned Beltline, the expansive 22-mile circuit of trails and parks circling the city.
“We believe this was an attack that was carried out as a result of an argument that was verbal in nature and quickly escalated,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said in a news conference Monday.
An arrest warrant, obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, alleges Hamby then stabbed Harris in the neck. Investigators also recovered two knives at the scene, the outlet reported.
People walk along the Atlanta Beltline in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., Sept. 21, 2025. (REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer)
Schierbaum said that the department’s records showed Hamby was no stranger to interactions with police and had been arrested 30 times. The chief also noted that Hamby was a felon on active probation for a prior aggravated-assault case in Brookhaven.
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FOX 5 also reported that Hamby had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a knife.
According to News Media’s review of Fulton County jail records, Hamby’s previous arrests included allegations of battery, aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, obstruction of law enforcement and criminal trespass.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens speaks during a news conference at City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/R.J. Rico)
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Monday that he asked the city’s public safety and Beltline teams to review patrols, camera coverage and the emergency response surrounding the attack.
“After seeing the video of yesterday’s heinous attack on the Atlanta Beltline, my prayers are with the victim, his loved ones and everyone forced to witness such a horrific act of violence. Atlantans and visitors should be able to enjoy the Beltline safely, and I have asked our public safety and Beltline teams to conduct a review of the safety protocols surrounding this incident, including patrols, camera coverage and emergency response,” Dickens said.
The mayor said that Hamby’s long history as a felon raises “serious questions about how someone with that record was once again in a position to endanger the public.”
“Those facts demand that we examine the systems surrounding behavioral health, repeat offenders and public safety, and address any failures plainly with the partners responsible for those systems. Atlanta will continue doing everything within our power to keep people safe, but we cannot solve these challenges alone,” he said.
APD said that its information is preliminary and that the homicide investigation is ongoing. An attorney was not listed for Hamby as of Monday evening. News Media has requested additional information from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.