Herrington Varner

Name of Accused:
Varner, Herrington Larry Bernard

Date of Arrest:
07/09/2024


Charges For Arrest:
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE (1ST OFFENSE) – M
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE-SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION OR PRIOR FORCIBLE FELONY CONVICTION – M
POSS FIREARM/KNIFE IN COMMITTING CRIME – F
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES – F
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On July 9th, 2024
, at approximately 1025 hours, I was dispatched to the Days Inn Room #[REDACTED], at 2500 Dean Forest Road, for a domestic incident. Dispatch advised that the compliant, [WITNESS ], advised that his girlfriend, [VICTIM ], was being attacked by her brother. [WITNESS ] provided dispatch with [VICTIM ]’s phone number and the call taker ed her directly. Dispatch updated the call to advise that the suspect was still on scene and that [VICTIM ] had locked herself in the bathroom. The call taker then advised that suspect had gotten inside the bathroom and a struggle was occurring. An open records request for this 911 call will be submitted so that it can be added to this report at a later date.
Upon my arrival, I could not hear any struggling from within the room. I knocked at the door and Herrington Varner opened it. He quickly stepped out and began to walk away. I could see into the room and did not see [VICTIM ]. I instructed him to stay where he was. Herrington advised that he got upset and threw some stuff at his sister, but believes she is alright. Herrington continued to walk away from the room. I placed him into hand restraints, which were sized to fit and double locked, so that I could check on the status of his sister. I walked to the bathroom door and announced myself. [VICTIM ] answered. I could observe fresh swelling on her right eye and mouth. I also observed fresh blood on both of her hands. Ofc. Semple and Ofc. DeLeFuente arrived on scene to assist. I instructed them to place Herrington into a patrol vehicle, while I conducted my investigation.
[VICTIM ] advised that her and Herrington got into an argument over paying for the room. [VICTIM ] advised that she was on a three way call with her boyfriend, [WITNESS ], and her therapist when the argument became physical. [WITNESS ] ed 911 on her behalf. [VICTIM ] advised that Herrington struck her in the face with his hand and threw her into a wall. She informed me that as she was getting up, Herrington kicked her in the face. She fled to the bathroom and locked the door. 911 called her back as Herrington was attempting to gain entry into the bathroom. [VICTIM ] advised that Herrington was able to pick the lock and then cut her with a black knife. She advised that he told her “Im gonna kill you bich, I cant afford to go back to jail.” [VICTIM ] advised that Herrington swung the knife at her and her hands were cut. I requested EMS to our location to evaluate [VICTIM ]’s injuries. I advised Herrington of his rights and he advised he would like to speak about what happened. He advised that his highest level of education was completing high school. Herrington advised that they began arguing about money and that he got angry. He did advise that he threw some sandwich/muffins at her and she was over reacting. Herrington advised that [VICTIM ] scratched him. I did observe fresh scratch marks on his right wrist and right thigh. Herrington advised [VICTIM ] locked herself in the bathroom and he used a pocket knife to pick the lock on the door. When he was successful, [VICTIM ] panicked and Herrington advised [VICTIM ] the knife was not meant for her. Herrington advised he did not use the knife on his sister but did throw something at her face, causing her to fall. I advised him that [VICTIM ] had some swelling beginning to form on her face and asked again if he hit her. Herrington advised that he maybe did, but was not sure. He advised that she was close to him and when he shoved her away, she might have hit her face on the wall. He advised again that he did not cut her with the knife and threw it into one of his bags prior to my arrival. Ofc. Semple was able to locate the knife inside of a blue bag near Herrington’s bed. I showed the knife to [VICTIM ] and she confirmed that it was the same knife used against her. I showed the knife to Herrington and he advised that it was his knife. He also advised, at this time, that [VICTIM ] might have cut herself on the knife after he dropped it. Herrington informed me again that he used the knife to pick the lock on the bathroom door and when the door opened he had the knife in his hand. He advised that this caused [VICTIM ] to panic and he dropped the knife and at some point [VICTIM ] might have cut herself on it. [VICTIM ]’s injuries were photographed before EMS bandaged her up. They advised me that she had a small laceration on her right hand and a small laceration on her left hand. She opted to be transported to Memorial by Chatham EMS. [VICTIM ] was issued a Garden City Victim’s Pamphlet, with corresponding case number, and instructions on how to obtain a copy of this report. She was also made aware of the services available to victim’s of domestic violence. Herrington was charged with Aggravated Assault- FV, Battery- FV, and Possession of a Knife During the Commission of Certain Felones. He was placed into the backseat of my patrol vehicle, which was checked before and after. He was then transported to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he was processed and released into their custody. He is to be arraigned. Victim notification paperwork was filled out at the jail and turned into the staff there. The knife was collected for evidence. Upon further inspection of the knife, I observed the tip to be bent as if it was used to pry something open. I spoke with [WITNESS ] over the phone. He advised that he was speaking with [VICTIM ] and her therapist when the argument began. [WITNESS ] advised he her Herrington calling her a “bich” and heard the altercation become physical. He advised this is what prompted him to call 911.
[End of Narrative]