ATLANTA — The family of a man accused of attacking a Georgia State University cafeteria worker with a chair says he has struggled with serious mental health issues for years and raised concerns about possible long-term effects of repeated head trauma from playing college football.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
In a public statement, the family of Carnell Hopson said the recent incident at Georgia State’s dining hall is part of an ongoing cycle of mental health episodes they have been trying to manage for about eight years.
The attack happened around 3 a.m. Wednesday inside the university’s 24-hour dining hall. Police said an employee let Hopson inside before another worker confronted him. The situation turned violent, and students jumped in to help the employee.
Hopson was arrested and faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault. The injured worker is expected to make a full recovery, according to police.
The family said it first noticed significant changes in Hopson’s behavior while he was playing football at Georgia State. Hopson joined the program in 2013 as a defensive lineman and played for four years, according to the family’s statement.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 13-year-old shot 4 times overnight in Atlanta; mother says it’s not his first time being shot
- Hassan Kariem’s niece says he passed out before Goliath fall; Expert explains investigation
- Man loses $4,000 to fraudulent jury duty calls linked to inmate, police say
The family expressed concern that repeated head impacts during his football career may have contributed to his symptoms, including changes in behavior, judgment and emotional regulation.
They raised the possibility of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated head impacts. The family acknowledged that CTE cannot currently be definitively diagnosed until after death. The statement does not establish that Hopson has CTE.
The family said it has spent thousands of dollars on medical care, counseling, medication, housing and other services while trying to help him.
They also described difficulties navigating the mental health care system and finding long-term support.
“The reality is that Georgia has extremely limited resources for someone with the magnitude and complexity of Carnell’s condition,” the family wrote.
The family said it has worked with hospitals, counselors, doctors, crisis services and law enforcement but has struggled to coordinate consistent care.
It also said an attorney has been engaged to help pursue medical guardianship and other legal options that could allow designated family members to assist with Hopson’s medical care.
The statement also offered additional context about Hopson’s connection to the university. The family said Hopson told them he had registered to return as a student this year to pursue another degree and received a student refund.
“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.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
