GBI Investigates Officer Involved Use of Force Incident in Douglas County

Douglas County, GA (March 13, 2020) – On Friday, March 13, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved use of force incident.

Preliminary information indicates that on Thursday, March 12, 2020, a Douglas County Deputy was at the WellStar Douglas Hospital with an inmate who was being medically treated.  At approximately 11:05 p.m., the inmate attempted to escape.  A struggle ensued between the deputy and the inmate.  The inmate grabbed the deputy’s firearm and fired the weapon, striking himself.  The inmate received non-life-threatening injuries.  The deputy was not injured during the altercation. 

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation and once complete will be turned over to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review.