Man arrested after attack at Georgia State dining hall

A 32-year-old man faces multiple criminal charges after allegedly assaulting an employee inside a Georgia State University dining hall early Wednesday morning.

Around 3 a.m. Wednesday, an unhoused man knocked on the door of the Piedmont Center dining hall at Georgia State University, which operates 24 hours a day Monday through Friday.

A dining hall employee mistakenly allowed him inside, believing he worked there or belonged in the building.

Once inside, the man got a plate of food.

A worker quickly confronted him, asking him to leave because he had not paid.

The situation escalated when the man knocked a plate off the table, physically confronted the worker and began throwing chairs at him.

Several students who witnessed the attack intervened to help defend the employee, whom they described as a well-liked staff member.

One student captured the entire incident on video.

Police arrested 32-year-old Carnell Ernest Hopson.

Hobson was booked into the Fulton County Jail and is facing charges of disorderly conduct, simple battery and aggravated assault.

As a result of the attack, dining hall staff are being retrained on security protocols, according to GSU.

Police have not released details regarding whether any staff members or students required medical treatment following the physical fight.