SENOIA, Ga. — Senoia police have arrested a man accused of attacking a woman who was out for a walk.
Investigators confirmed to Channel 2’s Michael Doudna that Isaiah Phillips, 30, is now in custody. He faces battery, sexual battery and false imprisonment charges and has a history of offenses dating back to 2023.
The alleged attack happened Sunday night on Travis Street, near the historic downtown area of Senoia. A woman says she was out for a walk when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to sexually assault her.
Police say surveillance video helped tell the story of Phillips following the victim.
“[He’s] driving behind her as she’s walking with the headlights off, following her down the street, turning onto the road that led to the scene of the attack,” Jason Ercole with Senoia police said.
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The victim wanted to remain anonymous but shared a statement.
She said she was grateful because she knows the situation could have been much worse, but she’s also heartbroken it happened “in my safe little slice of heaven.”
“But it is also a sobering reminder that even a city ranked among the safest in the state and country is not immune to evil,” she said. “On that note, I want to passionately remind all of us that evil comes in every size, shape, and color. The racist and hateful comments that have followed this attack have been more hurtful than any physical injuries I sustained.
“I am a community advocate for loving, serving, and caring for all people. And I can think of at least ten men who fit my assailant’s description who would have defended me during the attack—and who would wrap their arms around me in love, support, and prayer right now.”
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Doudna spoke to residents in Senoia on Monday for WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. They said they feel so safe, they don’t often lock their doors.
“People aren’t normally afraid to walk around or anything down here because it’s not known for crime,” resident Misty Smith said. “It is frightening because we just don’t even think about that here. It’s just not thought of.”
Victim’s full statement:
To the beautiful people of my community and beyond:
I’m good. I’m living in gratitude because I know this situation could have ended so much worse. By the grace of God, I wasn’t raped, and the suspect has been arrested.
I am—and will continue to be—heartbroken that this happened in my safe little slice of heaven. But it is also a sobering reminder that even a city ranked among the safest in the state and country is not immune to evil.
On that note, I want to passionately remind all of us that evil comes in every size, shape, and color. The racist and hateful comments that have followed this attack have been more hurtful than any physical injuries I sustained.
I am a community advocate for loving, serving, and caring for all people. And I can think of at least ten men who fit my assailant’s description who would have defended me during the attack—and who would wrap their arms around me in love, support, and prayer right now.
If you have any care in your heart for me or for this community, please do not let hate win.
And if you are a follower of Jesus, I implore you not only to pray for me and my family, but also for the assailant and his family. He has a mother, and perhaps children, who are hurting too. Scripture reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and darkness.
We cannot respond to darkness by creating more of it. If we allow hate and resentment to consume us, we become no better than the hate we are condemning.
To the Senoia Police Department, and especially to the man who spent hours combing through security footage to help find the person responsible: thank you will never be enough.
To my friends who pulled me into their living room and brought me to safety, and then surrounded me and covered me in prayer: thank you.
My life has been forever changed—not because of an attacker who tried to harm me, but because of the overwhelming love, compassion, and support I have experienced from my community.
That is what I want people to know about my town.
That is what needs to put Senoia on the map.
Not the attack.
Not the hatred.
Not the fear. The LOVE.
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