Christopher Bernard Thomas Jr. 21, was arrested early Thursday at Athens Regional Hospital where his girlfriend was being treated for injuries she allegedly suffered at his hands, Athens-Clarke County police said.
The 21-year-old victim told police that earlier in the day Thomas allegedly threw her off the porch of their home on Fowler Mill Road and then beat her. She told of other instances of alleged abuse, when Thomas supposedly kicked her into a ditch and fired a pistol into the ground while warning if she got up he would kill her, according to police.
Thomas denied any abuse and reportedly told police maybe the victim’s ex-boyfriend had beaten her.
Thomas was charged under the state Family Violence Act with battery, police said, and the victim made arrangements for temporary housing at a project Safe shelter.
Anyone who is in an abusive relationship can seek advice and services by calling Project Safe’s 24-hour hotline at (706) 543-3331, or by visiting http://www.project-safe.org.