May 12, 2019
GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Savannah, Georgia
On Saturday, May 11, 2019, the GBI was requested by the Savannah Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Sergeant Kelvin Ansari, age 50, and Edward Fuller III, age 49.
Preliminary information reveals that the subject (Fuller) had just committed a robbery of an individual leaving the Boyz II Men Barber Shop located at 2032 Bull Street, Savannah, GA. Fuller took money and other items, after striking the robbery victim with a weapon. When officers arrived on scene, they began their investigation into the robbery, but Fuller was thought to have left the area. As the officers were continuing that investigation, Fuller was in a vehicle nearby, unknown to the officers. Sergeant Kelvin Ansari walked near the vehicle; Fuller exited and immediately began firing upon officers, striking Sergeant Kelvin Ansari and Officer Douglas Thomas. Fuller fled the scene on foot to the backyard of a nearby residence. Responding officers were able to determine the location to which he fled. During a search of the area for Fuller, Fuller emerged from a shed in the backyard and pointed a handgun at the officers. One officer fired his weapon, striking and wounding Fuller. A handgun was recovered from the scene and was determined to have been stolen.
Fuller, Ansari, and Thomas were transported to Memorial Health. Ansari and Fuller both succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased following lifesaving measures. Officer Thomas was treated and released.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be provided to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office for review.