June 30, 2019
GBI Investigates Officer Invovled Shooting Investigation in Coweta County
(Newnan, GA) On Sunday, June 30, 2019, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved shooting.
On Sunday, June 30, 2019, at approximately 2:20 a.m., a Coweta County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol inside the Newnan Crossing Shopping Center located near the intersection of Bullsboro Dr. and Newnan Crossing Blvd. The deputy noticed a vehicle parked in a parking lot behind the T-Mobile cellphone store and notified dispatch. Subsequently, he exited his patrol vehicle to investigate the vehicle. The deputy noticed an individual, later identified as Nicholas Bolton, 34, in the backseat of the vehicle, appearing to be asleep. The deputy identified himself and began speaking with Bolton. He asked Bolton for his driver’s license and to step out of the vehicle. Bolton refused to exit and produce his license. The deputy then called for another officer to come on scene. Both deputies explained to Bolton that he was loitering and could either produce his license and exit or he would be arrested for loitering and obstruction. At this time, Bolton climbed into the driver seat and cranked the vehicle. Deputies gave commands to Bolton for him not to drive off in the vehicle. Bolton then sped off, narrowly missing one of the deputies, leading the deputies on a brief vehicle pursuit. A third deputy had arrived at this time and assisted in the pursuit. A P.I.T. Maneuver was performed by a deputy to prevent Bolton from reaching Hwy 34 and civilian traffic. This maneuver spun Bolton’s vehicle around where it was now facing the lead pursuit patrol vehicle. At this time, Bolton’s vehicle struck the deputy’s vehicle. The deputy exited his vehicle and noticed Bolton’s vehicle still in drive with the tires spinning trying to pull forward. To the left of Bolton’s vehicle, the second deputy tried to box him in and had exited his vehicle, attempting to give verbal commands. The deputy directly in front of Bolton’s vehicle fired one round from his agency issued weapon through Bolton’s front windshield after he saw what he believed to be Bolton actively trying to drive his vehicle in the direction of the deputy to the left of Bolton.
Bolton was struck by the gunshot and was transported to Atlanta Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.
No officers were injured in this incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Coweta County District Attorney’s Office for review.