Jabari Williams, 18, an employee of Urban Air Adventure Park at 207 Robert C. Daniel Pky., was fired after assaulting an 8-year-old boy with special needs.
On Friday, July 30, Cheyanne Williams took her nephew to Urban Air, but according to a Facebook post Williams wrote about the night, the day of play ended with an assault and arrest.
“Tonight at Urban Air one of their employees wanted to play with a bunch of kids in dodge ball (he was supposed to be a monitor). He thought it was fun and games to throw balls at the kids and horse play but once his necklace broke he decided to grab a handful of a special needs 8yrs old dreads and yank them,” the post reads.
William Gilbert, owner of Urban Air, said that he discourages employees playing with the children due to the potential for escalation.
According to Gilbert, that is exactly what happened during the incident that resulted in Jabari Williams’ arrest.
[adrotate banner=”19″]
“I’ve never had any issues with him. I think they were all playing, and it got out of hand. I think he was really rough getting them off of him is what it comes down to,” Gilbert said. “He should have never been playing with the kids. I don’t think he meant for it to ever escalate like that, but it did and it’s really unfortunate.”
However, in a police report of the incident, Deputy D. Wright of Richmond County Sheriff’s Office states that video footage was reviewed on site in which Jabari Williams, no relation to Cheyanne Williams, can be seen grabbing the child by the hair and throwing him to the ground.
Gilbert refused to release the video.
Jabari Williams was arrested on charges of simple battery and released Saturday, July 31, 2021, on his own recognizance.
Both Jabari Williams and the team leader on duty, Trevonn Smith were fired because of the incident.
“It just wasn’t handled appropriately – the whole situation,” Gilbert said. “It doesn’t represent how I want my business to be run.”
Anna Porzio is a researcher and editorial assistant. Reach her at anna@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”25″]
