Bond denied for Savannah man accused of stomping unconscious victim at City Market in June, and separate fight

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Chatham County judge denied bond Tuesday for a man accused of two separate assaults at City Market, including a viral video attack in which investigators say he stomped an unconscious victim’s head, neck, and face.

24-year-old Elijawan Wilson appeared before the Chief Judge for a preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault and battery.

Probable cause was found on both charges, and the case was bound over for consideration by the Superior Court.

Criminal Investigations Division Detective Trey Conners, with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, testified about two incidents — one on June 14 and one on June 18, 2026 — both occurring near the corner of Barnard and Congress streets approximately after the bars closed.

June 18 aggravated assault

Investigators said that on the morning of June 18, at approximately 2:30 a.m., an assault occurred at City Market in which Wilson can be seen on a viral video stomping and kicking the head, neck, and face of a man — identified in court as Victim 2 — who was already on the ground and unconscious.

The investigator said Victim 2 can be seen limp and unresponsive in the video as Wilson continued to strike him.

Approximately 6 individuals were seen around Victim 2 during the attack, but the investigator said Wilson was the predominant aggressor.

A co-defendant, Tania Phillips, was also charged with battery in connection with the June 18 incident and can be seen in the video striking the victim and dragging him on the pavement.

Victim 2 was transported to the hospital, where he underwent CT scans, X-rays, and other body scans over approximately 24 hours.

The investigator said Victim 2 had visible trauma to the head, face, and neck and complained of pain in his chest, back, and rib area, when the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office went to check on him.

Victim 2 told investigators he does not remember the attack and only recalled exiting a bar before being assaulted by multiple individuals.

A stationary City Market surveillance camera captured the entire incident. The video was also posted to a Facebook page. The investigator said the clothing and actions in both videos were consistent.

June 14 battery

While investigating the June 18 assault, the investigator said the department became aware of a separate viral video from June 14 — four days earlier — also at City Market at approximately 3 a.m.

In that video, Wilson can be seen striking a man — identified in court as Victim 1 — in the face, head, and neck. Victim 1 told investigators he had been trying to disengage and run away from Wilson throughout the encounter.

A police officer can also be seen in the video attempting to separate the two men.

Victim 1 told investigators Wilson approached him and said, “You didn’t think I was going to catch you,” before striking him.

Victim 1 said he had no prior conflict with Wilson but was aware of him through social circles and had no explanation for why Wilson approached him.

Victim 1 reported a bloody nose and a busted face. He did not seek medical attention at the time but did file a police report that same day.

A City Market surveillance video also captured this June 14 incident. The investigator said the video was published by local news media and was circulating online. The identity of the person who recorded and posted the video was still under investigation at the time of the hearing.

Arrest and spontaneous statement

Wilson was arrested on June 19 at a Wilmington Island address. The investigator said Wilson declined to speak after being read his Miranda rights.

As he was being taken into the jail while WTOC was present, Wilson made a spontaneous statement, saying, “Whoopty do...Y’all got a Mr. Fighter.” which was caught on camera.

Bond denied

The judge noted Wilson is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 320 pounds and said stomping an unconscious person “shocks the conscience,” calling the conduct “borderline attempted murder.” The judge said the actions demonstrated a significant risk of danger to the community.

The court also noted a prior aggravated assault case from 2021 in which Wilson received a 10-year probation sentence under a first offender plea.

The state indicated the first offender status appeared to have been discharged, though the matter was not fully resolved at the time of the hearing.

Wilson’s bond was denied. The judge said Wilson could seek bond in Superior Court.

Investigators Still Searching for Suspect

This man, seen here in the white shirt and black shorts with the flash on his camera, Detectives say he dug in the pockets of the victim after he was already unconscious and recorded the attack.

They’re still looking for him. If anyone recognizes this person, contact the Sheriff’s Office directly. You can remain anonymous.