Man faces charges for slashing tents of Atlanta's homeless, police say | FOX 5 Atlanta

Mar 11, 2025

Share

The Atlanta Police Department has issued warrants for Daniel Barnett, 42, also known as "Davinci." He was caught on camera appearing to slice the tents of several homeless individuals. He was charged with criminal damage to property.

ATLANTA - Cell phone video shows a man destroying the tents of Atlanta’s homeless. The incident happened just across the street from Ebenezer Baptist Church and has sparked outrage from community leaders and activists.

He now faces charges.

What we know:

Video obtained by FOX 5 shows a man wearing an "enforcement" shirt, who appeared to be armed, slashing through the homes of Atlanta’s homeless with a knife.

He was later identified by Atlanta police as 42-year-old Daniel Barnett. He also goes by the name "Davinci."

A man was caught on video slashing the tents in a homeless community. On March 9, warrants were secured by the Atlanta Police Department.

The tense encounter happened just a few hundred feet away from Ebenezer Baptist Church—and a few steps away from the site where Cornelius Taylor was killed by a city bulldozer during an encampment clearing.

Community activists held a news conference Saturday urging the City of Atlanta to pursue charges.

What they're saying:

Mawuli Davis, who represents Taylor’s family in a case against the city, was joined Saturday by community leaders who expressed disgust over what they saw.

"These are Atlanta citizens that deserve protection, that deserve the right to live in peace, that deserve the right to live without being terrorized or humiliated and having their very few personal belongings destroyed," Davis said.

"The heart of Atlanta needs a serious check right now. We were known as a city too busy to hate and, right now, we’re looking like a city too busy to love," Rev. Nolan English of Traveling Grace Ministries added.

They’re calling for better treatment of the city’s homeless and accountability for anyone who chooses not to comply, starting with the man in the video they say they hope will face charges.

"It shouldn’t be a reduced charge, it shouldn’t be anything less than what it is—criminal damage to property," Davis stated.

The other side:

Atlanta police said after a brief investigation and interviews with several victims, they have secured warrants for Davinci for damage to property.

They also made a point to separate the department from his alleged actions.

"Mr. Barnett is known to work as a security officer in the Auburn area and it is important to note that Mr. Barnett is not affiliated with the City of Atlanta or the City of Atlanta Police Department," APD said in a statement. "At this time, it is believed that he is acting alone."

What we don't know:

It's not clear whether Davinci is currently in custody.

The Source: Information reported in this story came from the Coalition for Justice for Cornelius Taylor, the Atlanta Police Department and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting.

All the news you need to know, every day

By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.