Former Hunger Games Child Actor Faces Serious Assault Charges
Ethan Jamieson, the former child actor who appeared in the blockbuster film The Hunger Games, has been arrested and charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. The 27-year-old was taken into custody on April 9 following an alleged incident involving a firearm.
Alleged Shooting Incident in Raleigh
According to police reports, the incident occurred on March 23 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Authorities were alerted to shots fired at approximately 9:52 PM local time. The victims reported that an unknown suspect riding an e-bike fired a single gunshot at their vehicle while they were driving. During their investigation, detectives identified Jamieson as the individual who discharged a 9mm semi-automatic handgun in the direction of the victims' vehicle.
The three male victims are listed in court documents obtained by the Daily Mail only by their initials: E.F., J.M., and K.W. Jamieson was subsequently arrested and charged based on the evidence gathered by the Raleigh Police Department.
Jamieson's Acting Career and Legal History
Ethan Jamieson rose to prominence for his role as a District 4 tribute in the 2012 film The Hunger Games, starring alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth. Prior to that, he appeared on One Tree Hill in 2009 as 'Kid #2' and had roles in projects like The Rusty Bucket Kids: Lincoln, Journey to 16, and the short film Gravity. His last acting credit was in 2013 for the crime series Justified, where he played Milo Truth.
This is not Jamieson's first encounter with law enforcement. In March 2025, he was arrested and charged with resisting arrest in Raleigh, where he resides. Notably, his sentence for that 2025 offense came just three days after his latest alleged assault.
Legal Proceedings and Future Court Dates
Jamieson was denied bail on April 9 following his arrest. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 30 for a disposition hearing, where further legal proceedings will be determined. The charges against him are severe, carrying significant potential penalties if convicted.
Reflecting on his early fame, Jamieson told LancasterOnline in March 2012, at age 13, that while getting recognized was "pretty awesome," he preferred to live a "normal" life. He expressed surprise at the film's success, stating, "I knew that the books were popular, but I didn't know that the movie was going to be so big."
Context: Hunger Games Franchise Continues
This news emerges as fans of The Hunger Games franchise anticipate the upcoming prequel film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, slated for release later this year. The film is set 24 years before the events of the original movie and will feature younger versions of iconic characters like Effie Trinket and Haymitch Abernathy, with Joseph Zada portraying a young Haymitch instead of Woody Harrelson.
The prequel focuses on the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, where the number of tributes is doubled, leading to increased casualties. This backdrop adds a poignant contrast to Jamieson's current legal troubles, highlighting the divergence between his fictional past and real-life present.
