Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- A man, his girlfriend and their infant son narrowly escaped injury after shots were fired into their car at a local apartment complex.

According to reports from the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, Brandon Clayford Reid, 23, of 115 Jericho Drive, Covington, faces three counts of aggravated assault along with charges of cruelty to children, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies. Reid remained in the Rockdale County Jail as of presstime Tuesday.

Deputies were called to Terraces at Fieldstone on the afternoon of July 8 where Reid had allegedly gone looking for the 22-year-old male victim who lived there. According to the victim, he, his roommate and Reid had been gambling the night before when Reid allegedly became upset because he lost. The victim told deputies there was an argument over payment and he and Reid got involved in a physical altercation, after which Reid left.

The next day, the victim, his 20-year-old girlfriend, and their infant son were driving into the complex at about 2 p.m. when they received a phone call from the victim's roommate telling them not to come to the apartment because Reid was there with a gun. The girlfriend, who was driving, told deputies that she was circling the neighborhood when Reid allegedly began firing at them.

There were several gunshots to the couple's car. According to the incident report, a rear window was shattered and a front window was cracked. Authorities said one bullet apparently missed the child in the back seat by about 2 inches.

Reid reportedly fled on foot but was apprehended without incident at a store in DeKalb County after authorities received a tip on his whereabouts.

The victim told deputies that he had known Reid for more than two years and that he never thought Reid would fire shots at him, his girlfriend and their baby.