GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Athens, GA

Athens, Clarke County, GA (July 27, 2026) - At the request of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Athens, GA. John Weeks, age 44, of Athens, was shot and injured in the incident. No officers were injured.

Preliminary information indicates that on Monday, July 27, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., a Homeless Day Service Center employee noticed a man yelling outside the front door of the center, located at 240 North Avenue, in Athens, GA. The employee opened the door to check on the man, and the man, later identified as Weeks, continued yelling at the employee, holding knives in each of his hands. The employee then shut the front door and requested assistance from an ACCPD officer who was working in an off-duty capacity at the center. The officer then contacted ACCPD to request additional law enforcement officers to respond to the center. After additional officers arrived on scene, officers approached Weeks and gave verbal commands for Weeks to drop the knives. Weeks refused to comply and began taking steps toward the officers. One officer then shot at Weeks, hitting him.

Weeks was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment and is currently in critical condition.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Athens, GA at (706) 552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.