Atlanta detective arrest suspect after an unprovoked attack of a stranger

Few things can be as terrifying as being the victim of an unprovoked attack by a complete stranger, in broad daylight. That is what happened to one of Atlanta’s citizens on the morning of Monday, August 1, 2022, at around 9:00am.

An Atlanta Police investigator, working on another case, was driving near Pryor St and Trinity Ave SW when she observed two men fighting on the sidewalk. The investigator stopped and detained both men to find out what was happening.

The investigation found that the victim had been walking on the sidewalk when the suspect, 28-year-old Carlton Hall, approached from the opposite direction. As the two passed each other Hall squirted water on the victim from a water gun. The victim stopped and asked Hall why he had done that. The suspect then grabbed the victim and began punching him. Hall denied the attack but a review of security cameras in the area confirmed the victim’s account.

Hall was arrested for Battery and Simple Assault and taken to the Fulton County Jail. The victim received minor injuries from the attack. Hall has been arrested at least four times prior to this on charges of Criminal Trespass, Prowling, and Sexual Battery.

The Atlanta Police Department takes all violent assaults seriously and we are prepared to take action to stop them. Police officers go to work each day never knowing what to expect but an alert detective was able to rescue a citizen from a violent attack. This investigator understood her duty and took quick action to arrest a violent offender. Well done!