Cartersville, GA - The Emerson Police Department has requested the GBI to investigate a shooting involving one of their officers which resulted in the death of Brent Andrew Brannon, 27, during a traffic stop. Initial information provided to the GBI indicates that on October 14, 2015 at approximately 10:53 AM, Emerson Police Officer Robert K. Smith, 24, was working traffic enforcement on I-75.  At that time, Officer Smith was alerted to a tag violation on a gold sport utility vehicle traveling northbound on the interstate.  Officer Smith stopped the vehicle on I-75, and identified the driver as Brent Andrew Brannon, 27, of Columbus, Georgia.  A driver’s license check alerted Officer Smith that Brannon should be considered armed and dangerous and is an escape risk. The inquiry also revealed Brannon was wanted on outstanding warrants for trafficking in heroin, possession of a sawed off rifle, sale of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia from the Columbus Police Department. Officer Smith requested backup to help facilitate the arrest.  Before back up arrived, Brannon became non-compliant and Officer Smith deployed his Taser at him.  The Taser was ineffective and Brannon pointed a handgun at Officer Smith. Officer Smith fired at Brannon striking and killing him.  The incident was captured on the officer’s dash cam video. Brannon’s body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur for an autopsy scheduled for Friday October 16.   

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 District Attorney for any action they deem appropriate.   

Contact:  Scott Dutton - 404/270-8330