Elbert County, Georgia – On Thursday, October 27, 2016, the Georgia State Patrol requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate an officer involved shooting occurring in Elbert County, Georgia.                                           .

Preliminary information provided by GSP indicates that a Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Edwin Amaya Maldonado, 24, of Elberton, Georgia, for a traffic offense.  The stop occurred at the intersections of Georgia Hwy 77 and Red Hill Road in Elbert County, Georgia, around 7:45 p.m.  During the stop, Maldonado was found to be driving without a license and suspected of Driving Under the Influence (DUI).  The Trooper attempted to arrest Maldonado for the offenses, at which time Maldonado resisted arrest and reached for the Trooper’s gun belt.  The Trooper shot Maldonado one time, striking him in the torso area.  Maldonado died at the scene as a result of his wounds.  He was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy.  

The GBI will continue its independent investigation to determine what occurred during the incident.  When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for review.

Contact:  Nelly Miles - Director of Public Affairs | [email protected] | 404/270-8330