Forsyth Man Indicted in Knife Assault, Still Wanted in Shooting

A Forsyth County indictment filed Jan. 7 charges Ronald Eric Lofland, 47, with family violence-aggravated assault and third-degree cruelty to children for an alleged assault on a woman with a knife while a minor was present earlier that day. The indictment identifies the victim as the same woman who was injured in a May 30 shooting at a home on Darla Avenue, a case for which Lofland remains wanted.

Authorities say the May incident involved two people who were injured at the residence and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies report Lofland fled the scene in a gold 2003 Jeep Liberty; the vehicle was later located abandoned. Deputy Epifanio Rodriguez, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said Lofland remains at large and is wanted in connection with the May shooting.

The new indictment expands law enforcement’s legal tools by adding domestic violence and child cruelty allegations tied to the Jan. 7 incident. Those charges carry potential penalties that could be pursued independently of the shooting investigation, increasing the avenues for prosecutors should Lofland be taken into custody.

The combination of an alleged violent assault in the presence of a minor and an unresolved shooting has direct implications for public safety in Forsyth County neighborhoods. Residents who live near Darla Avenue and surrounding areas may feel heightened concern, particularly families with children. Investigators emphasize community cooperation as critical to locating suspects and preventing further harm.

Atlanta Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to Lofland’s arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Atlanta Crime Stoppers at (404) 577-TIPS. Law enforcement asks that anyone who believes they have immediate information or who encounters Lofland avoid confronting him and instead contact 911.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate both incidents. The added domestic violence and child cruelty counts underscore the intersections between interpersonal violence and community security, and they highlight the importance of timely reporting and witness cooperation in resolving ongoing cases.