GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Savannah, GA

Update 7/21:

After further investigation, the body camera shows that Mincey removed a gun from his waistband and placed it between his legs while seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle.  Savannah Police Officer Thomas Love, who was standing at the driver’s door, commanded Mincey to put his hands in the air.  Mincey disregarded commands, opened the passenger door while grabbing the gun, and abruptly began to exit the vehicle in the direction of another officer positioned on the passenger side of the vehicle. As Mincey was exiting the vehicle, Officer Love shot Mincey.

An autopsy was performed and confirms Mincey died from gunshot wounds.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Savannah, GA (July 17, 2021) – On Saturday, July 17, 2021, at approximately 10:19 p.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Savannah Police Department to conduct an officer involved shooting investigation.  

The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 9:30 p.m., Savannah Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on E. Bolton Street for failure to stop at a stop sign.  During the traffic stop, officers were talking to the driver outside of the vehicle.  A passenger, identified as Maurice Sentel Mincey, 36, of Savannah, was moving around inside the vehicle when officers asked Mincey to stop moving and show his hands.  Mincey refused to do as instructed and suddenly stepped out of the vehicle.  Mincey then pointed a firearm at officers and an officer fired gunshots at Mincey, striking him.  Mincey was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab.

No officers were injured in this incident. 

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Upon completion, it will be provided to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office for review.