Inset: Stephen Catterton. Background: Surveillance video from when Catterton allegedly shoved two kids on bicycles into a fountain at City Springs Park in Sandy Springs, Georgia (Sandy Springs police).
In a bizarre incident at a Georgia park, a man allegedly pushed two children off their bicycles and into a fountain before heading off to enjoy a concert. His evening took a turn when police arrived to arrest him.
Police in Sandy Springs, located just north of Atlanta, responded to reports on the evening of February 28 at City Springs Park, situated at 1 Galambos Way. Two young cyclists claimed they were attacked by a man identified as Stephen Catterton. The children reported that while riding their bicycles, an unfamiliar man shoved them into a fountain.
The encounter was recorded on video, showing Catterton walking as the boys cycled toward him. As one child passed by, Catterton allegedly pushed him into the fountain. He then struck the second cyclist, causing him to fall toward the fountain’s edge, narrowly missing a collision with a nearby ledge.
The attack seemed to be unprovoked, and fortunately, neither of the boys appeared to suffer any injuries.
Authorities tracked Catterton to the Byers Theater, where he was attending a performance by the Irish band, the High Kings. In the middle of the concert, police entered and escorted Catterton outside.
Officers informed him that he was under arrest.
“What for?” Catterton asked, according to body-camera video.
“For assaulting juveniles,” an officer responded. “We have it on video.”
Catterton claimed the bicyclists “ran right at me.”
Cops weren’t having it.
“No, sir, we watched the video,” the officers said. “You can tell that to the judge.”
Officers took Catterton to jail. He has since bonded out. Police did not specify the charges filed against him.
“Pushing kids off bicycles is not only unacceptable, it’s also a quick way to meet our officers,” the press release said. “If Mr. Catterton happens to be your neighbor, you may want to use caution.”
