By Joe Johnson
A convicted felon was recently arrested at a northside apartment complex where he allegedly shot at a car occupied by his child’s mother, according to an Athens-Clarke County police report.
The gun he allegedly used was a 9mm semiautomatic pistol that was reported stolen in the county on June 16.
Bendrick Nikkia Elder, 39, of Rolling Ridge Drive was charged with reckless conduct, use of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft by receiving stolen property, and criminal trespass.
According to the report, officers responded to Rolling Ridge Apartments off of Kathwood Drive at about 1:30 p.m. Friday on as report of gunshots being fired in front of Building 15, and upon arrival an officer found spent bullet cartridge casings in front of an apartment and the apartment's resident in a verbal confrontation with another resident.
After separating the pair and accompanying the woman back into her apartment, the officer saw that Elder was there and the officer questioned him about the gunfire and cartridge casings, according to the report, which noted that Elder became defensive and told the officer that he was there to deal with an argument.
Officers then reviewed video footage that showed Elder arguing with occupants of a car in the parking lot and reaching into a book bag right before the shots were fired, according to the report.
“Witnesses at the scene stated that (Elder) shot at his child’s mother who was in the car,” according to the report. “Nobody on scene knew her name and she has not come forward to report the incident.”
Elder was taken into custody and the apartment’s resident told police that the gun was on the floor in a bedroom.
According to the report, the stolen pistol was loaded with seven rounds in the magazine.
As of Monday afternoon, Elder continued to be held at the county jail in lieu of good security bonds totaling $7,000.