Update: On October 15, at 7:20 p.m., John Paul Battle Jr. turned himself over to investigators. He was transported to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center. John Battle Jr. faces charges of Homicide by Vehicle/Leaving the scene.
Original Article: Authorities are searching for 40-year-old John Paul Battle Jr., of Macon, in connection with a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run that killed three-year-old Royal Rhodes early Monday morning. The incident occurred on October 14 along Riverside Drive.
What Happened: At Around 3:58 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 3900 block of Riverside Drive in response to a missing child report near a hotel. During the search, they found Rhodes unresponsive nearby. Investigators believe the child had been struck by a vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Richard Robinson.
The child’s body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy, as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the collision.
About the Person of Interest: John Paul Battle Jr. is described as a Black male, standing about five feet ten inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. The sheriff’s office considers him a person of interest in the case and is urging anyone who knows his whereabouts to come forward.
How to Help: Anyone with information on Battle’s location is asked to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500. Additionally, tips can be given anonymously to Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to assist in locating Battle and shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of young Royal Rhodes.
