Joseph Grier : “Gwinnett Transit Bus Hijacking Suspect: Soft, Calm, Loving”

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in Stone Mountain, Georgia, involving a Gwinnett County Transit bus and resulting in the death of one man. The suspect, 39-year-old Joseph Grier, was arrested after a dramatic chase that spanned across Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Gwinnett County.

FOX 5 Atlanta’s Brittany Edney had an exclusive interview with Grier’s family on Wednesday morning, shedding light on his mental health struggles.

The partner of Grier’s father shared that Joseph has been battling mental illness for the past 16 years. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, receiving medical treatment for these conditions. However, recent events, including losing his job, led to Grier stopping his medication and experiencing disruptions in his sleep patterns.

Described as having a gentle and caring nature when properly medicated and well-rested, Grier’s behaviour took a drastic turn when he neglected his medication regimen. Family members attempted to intervene and encourage him to rest, but he remained uncooperative and exhibited unusual behaviour.

With the shocking news of Grier’s involvement in the bus hijacking, his family expressed sympathy for the victim’s family while acknowledging the potential for a more catastrophic outcome given the number of passengers on the bus.

Further revelations from Atlanta’s police chief indicated that Grier was present at the scene of a separate shooting incident before boarding the bus, with authorities stating that the two events were unrelated.

Grier’s Criminal History

Chief Darin Schierbaum disclosed that Grier had a history of 19 arrests, some involving the use of a firearm. Grier’s criminal record includes a prior conviction for aggravated assault in Fulton County, leading to his incarceration at Baldwin State Prison.

Released a decade ago, Grier served time for multiple charges, including aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during a crime. His last known address was in Stone Mountain.

Currently facing charges of murder, kidnapping, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, and firearm possession as a convicted felon, Grier waived his initial court appearance on Wednesday.

For more updates on this developing story, tune in to FOX 5 Atlanta’s evening broadcasts.