DATE: May 29, 2018
Terroristic Threats made in the Municipal Court lobby
Thursday afternoon, May 24th at approximately 12:40 Municipal Court Probation Officer Adkins was notified by a witness that a black male was just observed inside the lobby restroom holding a handgun and threatening to “shoot people.”
An initial investigation identified the suspect to be forty-year-old Phillip James Collins of Marietta. Collins, who has a lengthy criminal history, has been in the Marietta lobby on multiple previous occasions and has a history of being verbally disruptive, disorderly and threatening.
According to witness statements, Collins attempted to enter Municipal Court with a backpack and was argumentative about allowing the bag to be scanned or inspected. Court bailiffs denied access to Collins who then entered the nearby lobby restroom. A witness stated that he observed Collins standing in the restroom, holding a handgun and talking to himself about shooting people. Collins exited the restroom and made threatening gestures and statements to the bailiffs before leaving the building.
Collins was located walking near the library, roughly one-half mile from Marietta Police Headquarters. He was taken into custody without incident. A thorough search of the area was conducted without locating a handgun. Collins was booked into Cobb Adult Detention Center on the felony charge of making Terroristic Threats.
We want to recognize the diligence of court bailiffs Henry Clark and Charles Butler. Had they not prohibited Collins from entering the court the outcome may have been tragically different. Their handling of this matter protected numerous employees and citizens inside the court room and associated offices.
