Hate crime charge pending after Pride flags slashed in Midtown; parent cited by police
11Alive WXIA (archive.ph)
By Makayla Richards and Karys Belger
2025-06-24 18:28:00GMT
A group of people on scooters was arrested after allegedly cutting up pride flags in Midtown early Tuesday morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSyPwuH04k4 (archive.ph)(PreserveTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCxG_5R2xPw (archive.ph)(PreserveTube)
ATLANTA — Four teens from out of town were arrested early Tuesday after police said they were caught cutting up Pride flags near a well-known LGBTQIA+ bar in Midtown Atlanta.
One parent was also cited for failing to supervise his child.
Atlanta Police Department said the incident happened around 1:40 a.m. at 991 Piedmont Avenue NE, near 10th Street and the Rainbow Crosswalks. Officers responded after a caller reported a group of young males disturbing the area and damaging flags hanging outside Blake’s on the Park.
According to police, six males had removed Pride flags and were seen using a knife to slice them into pieces in the street while recording themselves. When officers arrived, the group fled on motorized scooters. Four of the six were quickly caught and taken into custody.
"APD was able to respond quickly, we got to the call in a very short amount of time," said APD Sgt. Brandon Hayes at an afternoon press update. "So that just goes to show that we take this community very seriously — we take all of Atlanta seriously, but definitely this area we want to make sure that the residents feel safe and that we will respond as fast as we can."
Those arrested include a 16-year-old from Taylorsville, GA; an individual believed to be around 18; and two others likely around 17 — all from the Dallas area, according to police.
Each faces charges of obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy and prowling. A hate crime charge is also pending, police said, with Sgt. Hayes saying Tuesday afternoon that they are "looking at all avenues about how that charge will possibly come about."
The department also cited the father of the 16-year-old suspect for failing to supervise his child.
“This case serves as a reminder: if you see something, say something,” Atlanta Police said in a statement. “Together, we can continue to build a safer and more inclusive Atlanta for everyone.”
The department’s LGBTQ liaison has been notified and is involved in the investigation.
The vandalism occurred during the final week of Pride Month, a time marked by community celebration across Atlanta. According to national advocacy group GLAAD, at least 19 anti-LGBTQ incidents were reported in Georgia from April 2023 to April 2024, with seven in Atlanta.
The case remains under investigation, and police say details could change as it develops.
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Crime Stoppers Release: APD Looking to Identify Suspects in Pride Flag Vandalism
Atlanta Police Department (archive.ph)
2025-06-24 18:25:00GMT
Greetings, Media Outlets,
Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department are seeking assistance identifying two male suspects involved in a pride flag vandalism incident that occurred at 6/24/25 at 991 Piedmont Ave NE. The suspects participated in damaging LGBTQ flags with a knife. APD has apprehended 4 suspects. Two suspects remain outstanding at this time. The video has been included in the link below:
Surveillance Video
911 Audio
Link to Press Conference
Statement from the Atlanta Police Department on Swift Arrest in Pride Flag Vandalism Incident
Case: 251750175
The Atlanta Police Department is committed to protecting all members of our community and upholding the values of respect, safety, and inclusion. On June 24, 2025, at 1:40 am, officers responded to 991 Piedmont Ave NE regarding a vandalism call.
According to witnesses, six males were observed causing a disturbance in the area of Piedmont Ave and 10th St. Upon arrival, officers learned the males were stealing Pride flags and then cutting them up using a knife. Upon spotting officers, the six males fled the scene on motorized scooters. Thanks to the rapid response of our officers, four of the six males were apprehended.
Preliminary investigation revealed the males coordinated and drove to Atlanta from the Dallas and Cartersville, Ga areas. The arrestees were identified as:
Juvenile Arrestee: age 16 out of Taylorsville GA,
Logan Matthison: DOB 11/06, from Dallas GA,
Geami Mccarroll: DOB 8/07, from Dallas, GA,
Ahmed Mechkouri: DOB 4/07, from Dallas GA.
They were all charged with: Obstruction, Criminal Damage to Property, Conspiracy, and Prowling with an additional pending charge of a Hate Crime.
Mr. Aaron Petrus (DOB 08/83), the father of the juvenile arrestee, was issued a citation from officers for failing to supervise his son.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the citizen who witnessed the incident and promptly reported it. This case serves as a reminder: if you see something, say something. Together, we can continue to build a safer and more inclusive Atlanta for everyone.
This investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information on this case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSGA.
Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
11Alive WXIA (archive.ph)
By Makayla Richards and Karys Belger
2025-06-24 18:28:00GMT
A group of people on scooters was arrested after allegedly cutting up pride flags in Midtown early Tuesday morning.
ATLANTA — Four teens from out of town were arrested early Tuesday after police said they were caught cutting up Pride flags near a well-known LGBTQIA+ bar in Midtown Atlanta.
One parent was also cited for failing to supervise his child.
Atlanta Police Department said the incident happened around 1:40 a.m. at 991 Piedmont Avenue NE, near 10th Street and the Rainbow Crosswalks. Officers responded after a caller reported a group of young males disturbing the area and damaging flags hanging outside Blake’s on the Park.
According to police, six males had removed Pride flags and were seen using a knife to slice them into pieces in the street while recording themselves. When officers arrived, the group fled on motorized scooters. Four of the six were quickly caught and taken into custody.
"APD was able to respond quickly, we got to the call in a very short amount of time," said APD Sgt. Brandon Hayes at an afternoon press update. "So that just goes to show that we take this community very seriously — we take all of Atlanta seriously, but definitely this area we want to make sure that the residents feel safe and that we will respond as fast as we can."
Those arrested include a 16-year-old from Taylorsville, GA; an individual believed to be around 18; and two others likely around 17 — all from the Dallas area, according to police.
Each faces charges of obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy and prowling. A hate crime charge is also pending, police said, with Sgt. Hayes saying Tuesday afternoon that they are "looking at all avenues about how that charge will possibly come about."
The department also cited the father of the 16-year-old suspect for failing to supervise his child.
“This case serves as a reminder: if you see something, say something,” Atlanta Police said in a statement. “Together, we can continue to build a safer and more inclusive Atlanta for everyone.”
The department’s LGBTQ liaison has been notified and is involved in the investigation.
The vandalism occurred during the final week of Pride Month, a time marked by community celebration across Atlanta. According to national advocacy group GLAAD, at least 19 anti-LGBTQ incidents were reported in Georgia from April 2023 to April 2024, with seven in Atlanta.
The case remains under investigation, and police say details could change as it develops.
---
Crime Stoppers Release: APD Looking to Identify Suspects in Pride Flag Vandalism
Atlanta Police Department (archive.ph)
2025-06-24 18:25:00GMT
Greetings, Media Outlets,
Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department are seeking assistance identifying two male suspects involved in a pride flag vandalism incident that occurred at 6/24/25 at 991 Piedmont Ave NE. The suspects participated in damaging LGBTQ flags with a knife. APD has apprehended 4 suspects. Two suspects remain outstanding at this time. The video has been included in the link below:
Surveillance Video
911 Audio
Link to Press Conference
Statement from the Atlanta Police Department on Swift Arrest in Pride Flag Vandalism Incident
Case: 251750175
The Atlanta Police Department is committed to protecting all members of our community and upholding the values of respect, safety, and inclusion. On June 24, 2025, at 1:40 am, officers responded to 991 Piedmont Ave NE regarding a vandalism call.
According to witnesses, six males were observed causing a disturbance in the area of Piedmont Ave and 10th St. Upon arrival, officers learned the males were stealing Pride flags and then cutting them up using a knife. Upon spotting officers, the six males fled the scene on motorized scooters. Thanks to the rapid response of our officers, four of the six males were apprehended.
Preliminary investigation revealed the males coordinated and drove to Atlanta from the Dallas and Cartersville, Ga areas. The arrestees were identified as:
Juvenile Arrestee: age 16 out of Taylorsville GA,
Logan Matthison: DOB 11/06, from Dallas GA,
Geami Mccarroll: DOB 8/07, from Dallas, GA,
Ahmed Mechkouri: DOB 4/07, from Dallas GA.
They were all charged with: Obstruction, Criminal Damage to Property, Conspiracy, and Prowling with an additional pending charge of a Hate Crime.
Mr. Aaron Petrus (DOB 08/83), the father of the juvenile arrestee, was issued a citation from officers for failing to supervise his son.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the citizen who witnessed the incident and promptly reported it. This case serves as a reminder: if you see something, say something. Together, we can continue to build a safer and more inclusive Atlanta for everyone.
This investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information on this case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSGA.
Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
