Andrea Wright

Name of Accused:
Wright, Andrea Lindsay

Date of Arrest:
11/29/2024


Charges For Arrest:
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE – F
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE – F
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE – F
DISORDERLY CONDUCT – M
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 November 29th, 2024
at approximately 0634 hours I, Officer Andrea Hall, was dispatched to 610 W Oglethorpe Ave (CAT Bus Station) in reference to an individual with a knife who was attempting to stab another individual.
Upon arrival, I was flagged down by multiple individuals directing me to Bus 103 stating the individual with a knife was on the bus. As I stepped onto Bus 103 I observed an individual, later identified as Andrea Wright, being held down by two individuals: CAT security officer [WITNESS ] and bus passenger [WITNESS ]. As I reached the rear of the bus I assisted Mr. [WITNESS ] in bracing Mr. Wright’s right hand to his waistband, where Mr. [WITNESS ] advised me the knife was located, until a back up unit could arrive and assist. I drew my department issued taser and turned it on, focusing the laser dots on Mr. Wrights lower abdomen and right leg. I advised Mr. Wright to let go of his knife or he would be tased and he refused to listen to my commands. Mr. Wright’s demeanor appeared calm but was mumbling words that did not make sense and did not appear to be in his right mind.
Officer J. Johnson then arrived on scene and Mr. [WITNESS ] departed the bus. As Mr. [WITNESS ] and I were bracing Mr. Wright’s hand in place, Officer J. Johnson and I advised Mr. [WITNESS ] to let go of Mr. Wright’s hand and at the same time, step back and off the bus. Mr. [WITNESS ] and I then released our grip on Mr. Wright and we both stepped back. At this time, both myself and Officer J. Johnson aimed our taser dots on Mr. [WRIGHT], giving constant commands to place his hands above his head, to which he refused and then placed his hands on his lap. Officer A. Hodson then arrived on scene and drew his department issued handgun, aimed in a safety position at the ground, as both myself and Officer J. Johnson were already displaying less-lethal forms of defense. Mr. Wright continued to refuse to listen to police commands to place his hands above his head and multiple times, reached his right hand back towards his waistband where the knife was located.
I then turned my Taser off and returned it back into the holster and continued speaking to Mr. Wright in an effort to further de-escalate, while Officer J. Johnson continued to aim his Taser dots at Mr. Wright and Officer A. Hodson held his firearm, aimed in a safety position towards the ground. While attempting to de-escalate I remained calm and spoke to Mr. Wright in a soft, but concise manner. I explained to Mr. Wright that if he would trust me enough to place his hands up, that I would remove the knife safely and we would be able to put our weapons away for him. Mr. Wright continued to refuse to comply and at this time, Corporal Drongowski made the decision for us to make the arrest of Mr. Wright.
I grabbed Mr. Wright’s right wrist and he sunk down from his seat to the ground where he then kicked me in the chest, causing me to fall back and lose my grip on his right wrist. Mr. Wright then began to reach for his waistband, where the knife was located, and kicked Officer A Hodson in the groin area as Officer A Hodson attempted to grab his right hand. Mr. Wright again reached his right hand towards his waistband, where the knife was located, and Officer J Johnson then activated his department issued Taser.
Officer A Hodson and I continued to struggle to gain control of Mr. Wright’s hands as he continued to kick us and Officer J Johnson. Officer A Hodson was eventually able to grab the knife from Mr. Wright, which was loacted underneath his sweatshirt, near his waistband, and tossed it to the side and away from Mr. Wright. Officer A Hodson was then able to maintain control of Mr. Wright’s right hand while I gained control of Mr. Wright’s left hand and Officer J Johnson was able to place handcuffs on Mr. Wright. Mr Wright was then escorted off the bus by police and into the back of my patrol car. Located on Mr. Wright’s waistband, towards his right side, was a knife sheath (now empty).
I spoke to Mr. [WITNESS ] who stated he was sitting near Mr. Wright on the bus when he observed Mr. Wright staring at him. Mr. [WITNESS ] stated he began to feel very uncomfortable when he observed a knife sticking out of Mr. Wright’s waitband. Mr. [WITNESS ] stated Mr. Wright was mumbling to himself and continued to stare at him. Mr. [WITNESS ] stated he began to fear for his safety and alerted CAT security. While Mr. [WITNESS ] was speaking to me he appeared frightened and was crying.
I spoke to Mr. [WITNESS ] who stated he was alerted by other passengers that Mr. Wright was in possession of a knife, which he would later inform me is a violation of CAT Bus Station rules and regulations. Mr. [WITNESS ] stated he approached Mr. Wright and asked him about his knife when Mr. Wright then began to reach towards his waist band with his right hand. Mr. [WITNESS ] stated he then grabbed Mr. Wright’s his right hand and held it against Mr. Wright’s waistband to prevent him from presenting the knife until police arrival. Mr. [WITNESS ] also advised he wanted Mr. Wright banned from the CAT Bus Station. Mr. [WITNESS ] also stated there was video footage of the incident from inside the bus but stated it may take a few days to access. Mr. [WITNESS ] added that while I was interviewing Mr. [WITNESS ], two unknown individuals who did not remain on scene to speak to police, stated to him that Mr. Wright had brandished the knife while standing in front of them and threatened to stab them.
I read Mr. Wright the ban form and he stated he understood. Mr. Wright was unable to sign the form due to his hand being restrained behind his back at the time.
EMS was dispatched to the scene for a medical evaluation on Mr. Wright. EMS advised Mr. Wright was clear and I transported him to Memorial Hospital for jail clearance.
Mr. Wright was then transported to Chatham County Detention Center and charged with three counts of Felony Obstruction (OCGA 16-10-24B) and one count of Disorderly Conduct (OCGA 16-11-39).
The knife Mr. Wright was in possession of was logged into property and evidence.
Case closed by arrest.
[End of Narrative]