ATLANTA — An investigation continues Monday morning after a 29-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and killed near a busy section of the Atlanta Beltline.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the stabbing happened near the Beltline’s Eastside Trail and the Kroger on Ponce de Leon Avenue following an argument between two men.
“We believe this was an attack that was carried out as a result of an argument that was verbal in nature and quickly escalated,” Schierbaum said.
Police identified the suspect as 54-year-old Jonathan Hamby, who was taken into custody and brought to police headquarters for questioning. Officers also recovered what they believe was the knife used in the attack.
“We encountered a 29 year old male that had been stabbed to the neck,” Schierbaum said.
The victim was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Court records show Hamby has been arrested more than 30 times and was on active probation following an aggravated assault case in Brookhaven.
Schierbaum said there is no threat to the public around the Beltline’s Eastside Trail.
The stabbing has raised safety concerns among some members of the public. Schierbaum and Beltline officials said incidents like this are extremely rare considering millions of people use the trail each year.
The Beltline has several safety measures in place, including a dedicated Atlanta Police Department division with officers who routinely patrol the trail, an extensive security camera system and emergency response mile marker signs.
In a statement, the Beltline said it will continue working with its partners to strengthen security across the trail.
The investigation remains ongoing.