Columbus, GA - On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) responded to the scene of an officer involved shooting at the request of the Columbus Police Department.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., the Metro Narcotics Task Force, a multi-agency narcotics unit that consists of Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Russell County Sheriff’s Office (Alabama) law enforcement officers, executed a knock and announce search warrant at 4218 Oates Avenue in Columbus, Georgia.  When officers made entry into the residence three people inside the residence fled out the back door to include Russell Napier, 48.  Additionally, task force agents also had arrest warrants for Russell Napier for the sale of methamphetamine.  At this time, Russell Napier is not in custody.

While agents were moving through the residence identifying themselves as police officers, a task force agent attempted to enter a locked bedroom and upon forcing entry encountered Brian Napier, 36.  Brian Napier allegedly charged the task force agent which resulted in the task force agent firing one shot that struck Brian Napier in the left arm, grazing his side.  The task force agent from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was not injured.  Additionally, task force agents also located five more people inside the residence at the time of the incident.  Three of those five people were later arrested for unrelated charges.

The search warrant was halted immediately after the shooting and the GBI was requested to investigate the shooting incident.  The Columbus Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards is handling the internal investigation.  The task force agent’s name is not being released at this time. 

Brian Napier remains in the hospital and continues to be treated for his injuries.  The GBI will conduct an independent investigation to determine what occurred during the incident.  When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for any action they deem appropriate

Contact Information:

Chris DeMarco (706) 565-7888