Fatal Stabbing on Atlanta BeltLine
A man was fatally stabbed on the Atlanta BeltLine on Sunday, Aug. 23, in an incident that police say stemmed from an argument between two men. The attack occurred just after 4 p.m. near Kroger on Ponce De Leon Avenue, according to a news release from Atlanta Police.
The victim, a 29-year-old man who was not identified by police in initial reports, was stabbed in the neck and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died. A second man, 54-year-old Jonathan Hamby, was detained at the scene, and police recovered a knife.
Second Fatal Stabbing on the Trail
This incident marks the second fatal stabbing on the Atlanta BeltLine in recent months. In May, Alyssa Paige, 23, was fatally stabbed in a random attack in the middle of the day while running on the trail. The man accused of killing Paige, 21-year-old Jahmare Brown, had an existing criminal history and had attacked a U.S. Postal Service worker with a brick, breaking their nose, before the assault on Paige. Police said Brown had no known connection to Paige.
Unlike the May attack, police say Sunday's stabbing was not random. It resulted from an argument between two men that escalated, according to authorities.
Suspect's Criminal History and Mayor's Response
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Hamby is a convicted felon with 30 prior arrest cycles and was on active probation for an aggravated assault that occurred in Brookhaven. Fulton County Jail records show Hamby was previously booked on charges including obstruction, battery, criminal trespass, interference with government property, aggravated assault, and possession of a knife during a felony.
Court records indicate Hamby pleaded guilty in 2024 to carrying a weapon within a school safety zone and received a 10-year sentence, with two years to serve in custody and eight on probation. Records also show he failed to complete required anger management classes and a mental health evaluation in 2025.
Mayor Andre Dickens raised concerns about the suspect's record and the systems that allowed him to be in a position to endanger the public. In a statement, Dickens said, "APD continues to work to determine exactly what led to this attack. We now know the individual arrested in connection with this attack is a convicted felon with 30 prior arrest cycles and a history of mental illness, raising serious questions about how someone with that record was once again in a position to endanger the public."
He added, "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."
Charges and Investigation
On Monday, Hamby was charged with murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony. According to the warrant, Hamby told the victim and another man to back up "before I stab you." Investigators believe Hamby did not know the victim and that he stabbed Ramon Harris in the neck with a knife. Witnesses reported seeing Hamby with a knife in each hand during the altercation.
Police responded to the scene on the 700 block of Ponce de Leon Avenue. Atlanta Police said the attack was isolated and not indicative of a larger threat on the BeltLine.
Review of Safety Protocols
In response to the incident, Mayor Dickens said he asked public safety and BeltLine teams to conduct a review of safety protocols, including patrols, camera coverage, and emergency response. The review aims to assess and potentially strengthen safety measures along the popular trail, which has seen two fatal stabbings in recent months.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released further details about the victim or the circumstances leading up to the argument.