GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Tift County

Tift County, GA (November 13, 2023) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Tift County, Georgia. The Tift County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on November 11, 2023. One deputy was injured during the incident. 

Preliminary information indicates that on November 11, 2023, at around 8:00 p.m., a Turner County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car speeding on I-75 South. After a short chase, the driver, later identified as Nicholas Kemp, age 39, of Indiana, took an exit to Chula, GA, and traveled to a Dollar General store. The deputy located Kemp and attempted to contain the car. As Kemp left the scene, the deputy shot at the car but did not hit Kemp. Kemp continued traveling southbound on I-75. A short time later, he was taken into custody by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office after a Lowndes County Sheriff’s deputy performed a PIT maneuver on Kemp’s car.  Kemp was booked into the Lowndes County Jail. Charges are pending. 

The Lowndes County Sheriff’s deputy was injured during the PIT maneuver when his patrol car flipped. He was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.    

The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Tift County Judicial Circuit for review.