Police timeline of activities of Jonathan Redding, accused in bartender slaying

By MEGAN MATTEUCCI

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta police say they linked suspect Jonathan Redding to the slaying of Grant Park bartender John Henderson and a string of other crimes through ballistics and DNA tests:

Oct. 18, 2008: Redding allegedly stole a Smith & Wesson 9 mm gun from a construction worker's vehicle on McDaniel Street.

Dec. 21, 2008: Redding allegedly used the stolen 9mm to rob Robin McMillan as the employee left the Standard Food & Spirits on Memorial Drive in Grant Park. Cops say he fired one round and took McMillan's belongings. A shell casing was recovered at the scene.

Jan. 7: Redding and three other teenagers allegedly stormed the Standard as bartenders John Henderson and Ashley Elder were closing. During a robbery, nine shots were fired from two weapons, including the stolen Smith & Wesson and a Glock 9 mm the assailants stole from Elder. Henderson was shot twice in the leg and once in the head, but police would not say which gun delivered the fatal bullet.

Jan. 9: Redding allegedly committed a home invasion at 1871 Plaza Lane. Both the stolen Smith & Wesson and stolen Glock were fired inside the home. The homeowner fired back, striking Redding in the shoulder with an AK-47. Blood DNA and ballistics were collected from the scene.

April 10: The U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Redding in the Mechanicsville section of Atlanta and charged him with the Plaza Lane home invasion after DNA and ballistics confirmed he was one of the shooters.

May 7: Police charge Redding, who was still in custody, with the Standard bar murder after new ballistics evidence link him to that crime.

May 8: Police announce Redding's arrest and asks the public to help locate three other suspects in the Standard homicide.

Compiled by staff writer Megan Matteucci based on Atlanta Police Department information.