Americus, Georgia – On Wednesday, December 07, 2016, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested to investigate a shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of Americus Police Officer Nicholas Smarr, age 25, and Georgia Southwestern State University Officer Jody Smith, age 25. 

At approximately 9:40 AM, Officer Smarr received a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute at an apartment complex on South Lee Street.  Officer Smarr responded to the call.  Simultaneously, Officer Smith heard the call as well and responded.  They encountered the suspect who was later identified as Minquell Kennedy Lembrick, age 32, and at that point shots were fired.  Both officers were shot and succumbed to their injuries. 

A 24-hour manhunt ensued with assistance from numerous agencies.  On Thursday, December 8, 2016, at approximately 10:02 AM, law enforcement received information from a citizen that Lembrick was located inside the residence of 320 Allen Street.  Peach County SWAT arrived on scene to begin roping off the perimeter.  While setting up the perimeter, they heard one single gunshot.  The SWAT team began negotiations & promised Lembrick’s safety.  There was no response.  Eventually, the SWAT team utilized a GBI EOD tactical robot to make entry into the residence.  Once they entered, an individual who appeared to be deceased was observed in the front area of the house with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.  EMS responded and pronounced him deceased.  Subsequent fingerprint examinations by the FBI confirmed the deceased individuals’ identity as Minquell Lembrick.  The GBI conducted the death scene processing.

Several agencies teamed together to offer a reward for information that would lead to Lembrick’s arrest.  These agencies were the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Peach County Sheriff’s Office, Byron Police Department, Fort Valley Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, City of Americus, U.S. Marshals Service, Crisp County Drug Unit, Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Drug Unit, and the City of Andersonville.  The total reward money offered rose to $70,000.

Cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies was critical during this incident.  The following agencies listed in alphabetical order assisted in this investigation:

Albany State University Police Department

Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit

Americus Fire Department

Americus Police Department

Ben Hill Sheriff’s Office

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Byron Police Department

Columbus Police Department

Cordele Police Department

Crisp County Sheriff’s Office

Decatur County Sheriff’s Office

Department of Community Supervision

Department of Natural Resources

Dooly County Sheriff’s Office

Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office

Ellaville Police Department

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Fort Valley State University Police Department

Georgia Bureau of Investigation - Columbus, Americus, Douglas, Thomasville, Eastman, Perry, and Sylvester.

Georgia Department of Corrections

Georgia Emergency Management Agency

Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department

Georgia State Patrol

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Houston County Sheriff’s Office

Lee County Sheriff’s Office

United States Marshals Service (USMS)

Macon County Sheriff's Office

Middle Flint Regional E9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center

Montezuma Police Department

Oglethorpe Police Department

Peach County Sheriff’s Office

Schley County Sheriff’s Office

Stewart County Sheriff’s Office

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office

Tift County Sheriff’s Office

Turner County Sheriff’s Office

Webster County Sheriff’s Office

Photos attached of Officer Nicholas Smarr and Officer Jody Smith

Danny Jackson – Special Agent in Charge | GBI - Americus | (229) 931-2439                                

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