GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Clayton County

Morrow, GA (November 21, 2022) - The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Morrow, Georgia. The Clayton County Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on November 21, 2022. One man was shot and died. No officers were injured in this incident.  

Preliminary information indicates that on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 11:38 a.m., a uniformed Clayton County Police Officer was investigating a stolen vehicle parked at IGM Surfaces, LLC, 1135 Commerce Road, Morrow, Georgia. Shortly after confirming that the vehicle was stolen, the officer was approached by a man, identified as Eric Holmes, age 19, of Stone Mountain, GA. Holmes engaged the officer in conversation but gave no indication of his connection to the stolen vehicle. While speaking to the officer, Holmes abruptly walked away, entered the stolen vehicle, and started the engine. The officer gave commands for Holmes to stop. The officer fired several shots, and the man left the scene in the stolen vehicle. The officer called for assistance and pursued Holmes in his marked patrol car. Holmes drove up Commerce Drive and veered into a ditch, about a quarter mile from where the incident began. The officer pulled Holmes from the vehicle and placed him under arrest at this location. The officer provided initial medical care until emergency medical technicians arrived. Holmes was taken to Southern Regional Hospital where he later died.  

Two handguns were recovered from the vehicle. 

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation.  Once complete, the case file will be given to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for review.