An Atlanta police officer has been arrested and relieved of duty on charges for allegedly helping a murder suspect escape from a home.
Officer Tommy Williams, 24, reportedly aided Jabri Mathis in escaping from a home that he hid in after police surrounded the house. Mathis was wanted on 13 charges, including two counts of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon while committing a felony in connection with the shooting death of Gary Allen Mincy, 50, who was found shot to death in his vehicle on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard.
According to the arrest report, officers were chasing Mathis, 20, when he ran inside a home in the 500 block of James P. Brawley Drive. That’s when Mathis escaped from the back of the house, jumped a fence and ran away mysteriously.
Williams was to cover the side of the house while other officers tried to arrest Mathis. When other officers made entry to the James P. Brawley Drive home, Mathis was not there. However, Mathis was taken into custody not too long afterwards on nearby Griffin Street.
“After the suspect was apprehended and relocated to the patrol car,” the incident report states, “the officers were discussing how it was possible for the suspect to escape out the window when it was covered and the suspect, Mathis, told the officers: ‘He let me go. I ran right past him.’ He even told the officers that he knew the officer and that his name was Officer Tommy Williams and he was like an uncle to him.”
The report also states that Williams was given a lookout on Mathis during roll call at least a month before Mathis was arrested and was aware that he was wanted, but never mentioned knowing the suspect.
Atlanta police Sgt. Greg Lyon said Tuesday that Williams, who joined the department in October 2012, “is relieved of duty.”
“The Atlanta Police Department takes these allegations very seriously,” Lyon said in an email to the AJC. “Chief Turner has always prioritized officer accountability and honesty, and will continue to take decisive action when necessary to hold his officers to the highest standard.”
Williams was arrested for hindering the apprehension of a criminal and violation of oath by a public officer.
Both Mathis and Williams were apprehended by fugitive unit of Atlanta police. Williams was released on a signature bond. Mathis was denied bond and remains at the Fulton County Jail.
Photo: Fulton County Jail
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