ATLANTA — Video captured a man attacking a Georgia State University cafeteria worker in the dining hall. Some students are now worried about how secure the school’s facilities are.
The attack happened Wednesday around 3 a.m. inside the university’s 24-hour dining hall.
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Georgia State Police Chief Anthony Coleman says when the man made himself a plate, another employee confronted him.
That’s when the situation turned violent.
Students jumped in to help the worker before the suspect ran outside. Police said they caught up with him two blocks away.
“The guy was super bloody, covered in blood, and he was actually just like walking around trying to hit people with the chair after he left outside,” student Jayden Coefield said.
Police later identified the suspect as Carnell Hopson. His booking photo shows him wearing a bandage on his forehead.
Back on campus, students say they are concerned about their own safety.
“My first thought was how did he even get in? Because it’s not even just ID, you have to scan your hand,” Jordan Depweg said.
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Coleman said an employee opened the door and let the suspect inside without checking who he was.
“So, apparently, there was an individual knocking at the door of the dining hall, and an employee opened the door and just let him come into the building,” the GSU police chief said.
Coleman told Seiden that staff have been reminded to follow security procedures and additional de-escalation training is planned.
But some students say they want to see more security.
“Usually, security sits outside of the caf, in the dormitory, but that night it wasn’t anybody there. So maybe, I feel like if they were there, it wouldn’t have went so far,” Coefield said.
The injured cafeteria worker suffered some injuries but he is expected to make a full recovery.
Investigators charged Hopson with multiple crimes, including aggravated assault.
In a statement provided to Channel 2 Action News, Hopson’s family said the recent cafeteria incident is part of an ongoing struggle with mental health issues that they have been trying to manage for about eight years.
The family said they first noticed significant changes while Hopson was playing football at Georgia State University and expressed concern about possible long-term effects of repeated head trauma, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. The family acknowledged that CTE cannot be definitively diagnosed until after death.
The family also said they have spent thousands of dollars on medical care, counseling, medication and housing while trying to help Hopson. They expressed frustration with what they described as limited mental health resources and difficulties coordinating treatment for an adult who may be unable or unwilling to participate.
“Carnell is more than a viral video. He is more than an arrest. He is more than the words ‘homeless man’ in a headline,” the family wrote.
The family said it is focused on Hopson’s health, treatment and long-term care as the criminal allegations related to the cafeteria incident proceed through the legal system.
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