The mayor, Khalid Kamau, who is known for his progressive views, attempted to deflect attention from his arrest by suggesting that it could shed light on "inequities" in the community.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:52 a.m. when a homeowner in South Fulton, Georgia, received a notification that someone had entered his property. The trespasser reportedly walked up the homeowner's driveway and towards the lake house. The homeowner promptly contacted the police to report an intruder.
July 10, 2023
According to WSB-TV, the trespasser exited the lake house shortly after the homeowner's call. The homeowner instructed the individual to stay put, as stated in the police report. The homeowner reiterated this command while speaking to the police dispatcher.
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In response, the trespasser, later identified as Mayor Khalid Kamau, allegedly became confrontational. He reportedly exclaimed, "Do you know who the f*** I am? I'm the mayor, and I'll wait for my police to get here and see what happens then."
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While sources claim that the property owner held Kamau at gunpoint until the police arrived, this information has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement, as reported by WAGA-TV.
Kamau, in his statement to the police, claimed that he attempted to introduce himself to the homeowner. However, the homeowner allegedly cocked his weapon and warned Kamau, "If you take another step, I'm going to shoot you." Kamau responded, "Are you going to shoot me while I'm walking away?"
Police officers arrived at the scene and identified the trespasser as Khalid Kamau, the mayor of South Fulton. Kamau was subsequently arrested and booked into Fulton County Jail on charges of criminal trespass and first-degree burglary. His bond was set at $11,000.
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Mayor Kamau was released from jail later that evening, around 8 p.m. During his incarceration, Mayor Pro Tempore Natasha Williams-Brown assumed the role of temporary mayor.
According to the police report, Kamau claimed that he was on his way to the dog park when he entered the property. He expressed that the house was his dream home and hoped to purchase it one day.
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While being escorted to a police cruiser in handcuffs, Kamau apologized to the homeowners, stating, "I just wanted to see the house. I do apologize to the owners. I thought it was abandoned."
Kamau also addressed the negative attention his arrest has brought to the city, saying, "I apologize for the negative attention that this has brought to our city. I hope that the spotlight on our city right now will highlight some of the inequities that have been happening."
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When asked about his guilt regarding the charges, Kamau deflected, stating, "I think that's for the voters to decide."
The city of South Fulton issued a statement regarding the mayor's arrest, emphasizing their commitment to upholding the law and ensuring equal treatment for all individuals. As the investigation is ongoing, further details are currently unavailable.
Khalid Kamau, who assumed office as mayor in January 2022, has been an outspoken advocate for Democratic socialism and the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2019, The Nation, a left-leaning media outlet, published a favorable profile on Kamau, in which he expressed his desire to transform South Fulton into "a real-life Wakanda."
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