\\ PTC Man Arrested for Battery, Gun Charges in Target Parking Lot
A Peachtree City man was arrested by Newnan Police Department units Sunday evening after responding to a dispute near the Tesla Chargers in the Target Parking Lot. The dispute was witnessed by a passerby who called and reported it to E911.
The Failed Approach
According to the NPD incident report, the dispute started when the suspect, Samuel Gray Johnson, 21, of Peachtree City, arrived in a vehicle at the Tesla Charging station in the Target Parking Lot. He than exited the passenger side of the vehicle and approached a female victim that was there with her friends. Johnson attempted to get the females phone number, after being told no Johnson responded by getting in the females face as she continued to vocalize her disinterest in his advances.
The female victim pushed Johnson in an attempt to get him away for her, which resulted in Johnson striking her in the face with an open palm slap.
The Confrontation
After seeing this occur, two unnamed individuals exited their vehicle and confronted Johnson about striking a woman, Johnson responded by getting in the faces of the individuals and shoving them in the chest a number of times. Johnson then stated " I've got something for you, " after which he returned to the passenger side door of the vehicle he came in and retrieved a Sig Sauer P365 9MM, which he placed in his waistband before again approaching the two individuals.
Arrest and Booking
At this time, a Coweta County Sheriff's Deputy that was in the area and heard the dispatch for the incident arrived on scene and quickly detained and disarmed Johnson.
Newnan Police Department units arrived shortly after and after investigating the incident arrested Johnson.
Samuel Gray Johnson, 21, of Peachtree City was transported to the Coweta County Jail and booked on the following charges.
- 3 counts of Simple Battery (M)
- Possession of Firearm or Knife during commission of a crime. (F)
Records indicate that Johnson is a 2023 graduate of East Coweta Highschool.