Americus, GA (April 25, 2020) – On Friday, April 24, 2020, at approximately 4:20 a.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred at the Sumter County Correctional Institute, located at 346 McMath Mill Road in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 4:00 a.m., personnel with the correctional facility were conducting a surveillance operation regarding illegal contraband being brought into the prison. It was during this operation that a correctional officer encountered an inmate that led to a struggle between the inmate and the officer. During the struggle, the officer fired several shots from a hand gun at which time the inmate was injured.

The inmate was immediately transported to the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center where he was treated and released back into the custody of the jail.

No officers were injured in this incident.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to the Southwestern Judicial Circuit  District Attorney’s Office for review.

Contact

Special Agent in Charge Terry Howard

[email protected]