A 29-year-old man died Sunday after he was stabbed near the Kroger by Ponce City Market on the Atlanta Beltline, police said.
The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries, police said. His identity has not been released.
Police detained 54-year-old Jonathan Hamby in connection with the stabbing. Investigators do not believe Hamby and the victim knew each other.
Hamby is charged with murder, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, aggravated assault and terroristic threats and acts.
He has been arrested more than 30 times, including in cases involving possession of a knife and aggravated assault, according to records. Police said he is on active probation following an aggravated assault case in Brookhaven.
Court records from DeKalb County show Hamby pleaded guilty in 2024 to carrying a weapon within a school safety zone. He was initially sentenced to 10 years, with two years to be served in custody and the remaining eight years on probation, records show.
Records show Hamby did not complete required anger management and a mental health evaluation in 2025. Police said they have not ruled out whether mental health played a role in the stabbing.
“Was he an individual that should be in this space, armed with a weapon, and that carried it out?” Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum said. “And that is a conversation we have to have as a society to make sure the courts are properly equipped to address mental health and individuals that have long-term issues that need to be addressed, as well as being able to provide for the safety of the community when sentencing calls for a person to be incarcerated.”
Schierbaum said cases involving suspects with prior convictions are frustrating for him as both police chief and a resident.
“There is a reason there’s a repeat offender commission that meets quarterly, because it has been recognized in many different areas that recidivism is a challenge to the safety of Fulton County,” Schierbaum said. “As that commission continues to meet, we continue to look at ways to ensure that courts are resourced to provide mental health care where necessary.”
People on the Beltline on Sunday said the stabbing raised concerns about safety and access to mental health care.
“I typically felt pretty safe, so this is pretty concerning, honestly,” said Ewuraba Buckle, who visited the Beltline on Sunday.
Tim Kelley, who witnessed Hamby’s arrest, said the incident was difficult to process.
“It’s kind of an average Sunday,” Kelley said. “It’s a shame that this happened. It really sucks for the family and the person involved. It shouldn’t have happened, but it is something that happens here in Atlanta. … People don’t want to acknowledge the issues with mental health in the area.”
