A 24-year-old Cedartown man, Devan Jaquan Penson, was arrested this week after a domestic dispute escalated into property damage and gunfire at a North Broad Street apartment complex.
Officers were dispatched to 147 North Broad Street after receiving reports of a heated domestic disturbance that had already occurred. While en route, dispatchers advised that the suspect remained on scene, was banging on a door, ramming a vehicle, and had reportedly thrown a concrete block through a windshield.
Upon arrival, an officer located a silver Ford SUV matching the description provided by 911 callers. Moments later, the officer reported hearing two gunshots coming from the area of the vehicle. Backup units arrived shortly after and confirmed shots had been fired.
Police say the suspect, later identified as Penson, was ordered to exit the vehicle and drop his weapon. He complied, throwing the handgun to the ground and following officers’ commands to lie down, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers recovered the firearm at the scene and secured it as evidence.
According to the victim the altercation began after she used Penson’s phone and discovered information that led to an argument. She told police the dispute turned physical, alleging that Penson pushed her to the ground and choked her before she was able to break free.
Penson is accused of damaging multiple items inside the apartment, including two televisions and a gaming console, before going outside. When the victim attempted to retrieve her apartment key, she said Penson refused and instead used his vehicle to repeatedly strike hers. She further alleged that he threw a concrete block through her windshield before she retreated inside and called 911.
After his arrest, Penson was transported to the Polk County Jail. Authorities said he admitted to firing multiple shots into the air, stating he did not intend to harm anyone.
Penson is charged with aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, reckless conduct, and criminal trespass following the incident.
