Austell, Georgia – On Sunday, January 17, 2016, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Austell Police Department to investigate a police shooting involving two Austell Police Officers. 

The preliminary information indicates that on Sunday January 17, 2016, at about 10:25 AM, Austell PD responded to a 911 call in reference to a domestic disturbance at Whitewater Court in Austell, involving Timothy Paul Duffy, 31. EMS were also dispatched and arrived shortly after Austell Police.  Officers described Duffy’s behavior as agitated as they spoke with him. As a result of safety concerns for the children inside the home, paramedics evacuated two of Duffy’s children through an upstairs window as officers continued to speak with him.  During dialog with Duffy, his behavior escalated to combative as he advanced toward one of the officers and started attacking him. An officer fired a Taser at Duffy during the struggle as Duffy took one of the officer’s Tasers and fired it striking the officer multiple times. Two Austell officers fired their duty weapons at Duffy striking him.  Duffy continued to fight the officers refusing to drop the Taser.  Duffy was eventually subdued and taken into custody by Austell Police and Cobb County Police who were also dispatched to the scene to assist.  Duffy was transported to Grady where he was treated for non-life threatening wounds.  Multiple officers were sent to an area hospital for treatment and they have been released. A warrant has been issued for Duffy for aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.

The investigation is active and ongoing as there are more interviews and evidence analysis to be done. The GBI will conduct and independent investigation into what happened.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the file will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for any action they deem appropriate.

Contact:  Scott Dutton | [email protected] | 404/270-8330