A 44-year-old man, Jamaal Jenkins, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and other offenses after allegedly shooting a man in the chest during a confrontation at a Chick-fil-A in Snellville, Georgia. The incident occurred on April 7 at the restaurant located on the 1500 block of Scenic Highway.
Details of the Incident
According to court records and testimony from Snellville Police Detective Victor Martinez, Jenkins and the victim did not know each other before the incident. They were both standing in line when Jenkins began insulting the victim, telling him he smelled like cigarette smoke. Jenkins then called the victim various derogatory names, including racial slurs.
In response, the victim reportedly punched Jenkins in the face, prompting Jenkins to pull out a Glock 42 handgun and fire three shots. One of the shots struck the victim in the chest. Jenkins allegedly chased the victim and attempted to continue shooting, but his gun malfunctioned, according to Martinez.
Martinez testified that the victim likely would have died if the shooting had not stopped due to the malfunction.
Defense and Legal Proceedings
Jenkins’ attorney argued that he was acting in self-defense because the victim threw the first punch. Jenkins reportedly has no prior felony convictions. Despite this, prosecutors have labeled Jenkins a danger to the community, given his actions in a crowded restaurant.
Jenkins appeared before a Gwinnett County judge to determine if there was sufficient evidence to move the case to a higher court. The judge ruled to bind the case over to Superior Court, and Jenkins remains in Gwinnett County Jail without bond. His next court date has not been announced.
Jenkins faces charges including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and reckless conduct following the shooting incident.
