Police Need Public’s Help to Find Assault/Kidnapping Suspect

On May 3, Gwinnett County Police Officers met with a victim after responding to an assault call at the Retreat at Arc Way Apartments at 4000 Northridge Way in unincorporated Lilburn at around 4 p.m.

The apartment is the home of the ex-girlfriend of suspect Ricky Knight, 33. Officers were told that upon arriving at the apartment, Knight confronted Byron Cotton, a friend of the family, who was watching the two children in the home. Knight and Cotton struggled when the suspect brandished a gun; Cotton was able to release the magazine from the firearm and escape.

The suspect then fled the scene with the children who were returned a few hours later unharmed and released into the custody of their mother.

GCPD has stated that as a result of this incident, Knight is being charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, 3rd degree cruelty to children, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The suspect has prior felony convictions which include aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and theft by receiving.

Knight is about 6-foot-2 tall and weights about 190 pounds (a mug shot is attached to this article). He has numerous tattoos on his arms, chest and back.

GCPD needs the public’s help in locating this suspect. Anyone with information on Ricky Knight can call GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300, or Crime Stoppers at 404-557-TIPS.  Anyone with information on Knight’s current location should call 911.

Information in this report based on a media release from the Gwinnett County Police Department.