ATLANTA — Friends and family are remembering a 29-year-old man who died in a stabbing along the Atlanta Beltline nearly a week ago.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The mother of his child talks about the person he was and the change loved ones are calling for.
Channel 2’s Ashlyn Webb spoke to several of his friends at a vigil Saturday.
Flowers, candles and handwritten notes now sit here at Freedom Park — a tribute to 29-year-old Ramon Harris.
Friends gathered at the park Saturday to remember a man they call a bright light.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 2 of Atlanta’s favorite attractions will soon be connected
- Superintendent speaks after fight cancels high school football game
- $20 scratcher turns into $2.5 million payday
“Very creative, very enthusiastic about life,” said Charlotte Stutts. She and Harris were together for four years and share a 9-year-old son.
Stutts says Harris faced challenges growing up in foster care but became the kind of person who looked out for others, making people feel seen.
He was an avid jewelry maker, street artist and skate boarder.
Many say they learned of his death on social media. Video shows the suspect holding two knives and yelling before stabbing Harris.
“i pray that we can come to some type of solution to prevent things like this from happening,” Stutts said.
Records show the suspect, 54-year-old Johnathan Hamby, has been arrested at least 30 times.
His family says he suffered from severe mental-health issues and he often believed he was under “constant, terrifying attack from bystanders who are simply walking near him.”
“He should not—he should have not been out, like, period, especially knowing that,” said Trinity, Harris’ friend.
Harris’ friends are demanding change in his name.
“It was definitely preventable. Like, overly, it was so preventable,” Trinity said.
“I don’t want this to be something that’s just swept under the rug,” said Adrian, Harris’ friend.
The suspect’s next court appearance is set for Sept. 15. He remains in the Fulton County Jail without bond.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]