Kennesaw, Georgia – On Saturday, December 31, 2016, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Woodstock Police Department to conduct an investigation into an officer involved use of force incident.

Preliminary information from Cherokee County and Cobb County law enforcement authorities indicates that at approximately 10:09 p.m., an officer with the Canton Police Department made contact with the driver of a vehicle who was suspiciously parked outside of a closed business.  The driver of the vehicle initially spoke to the officer but then fled in his vehicle, striking the officer.

Officers with the Canton Police Department pursued the subject’s vehicle into the Woodstock area. The Woodstock Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the pursuit.

During the chase, the subject’s vehicle tires were disabled with the use of a tire deflation device and the vehicle stopped on I-75 northbound near the Wade Green Road exit. The driver exited the vehicle and presented a gun during contact with law enforcement.  Two officers with the Woodstock Police Department fired their weapons during the incident. The driver sustained gunshot wounds and died as a result of his injuries. An autopsy will be performed by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The injured officer with the Canton Police Department was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. No other officers were injured during the incident.

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 Cobb County District Attorney's Office for review.

Bahan Rich | [email protected] | 404/270-8332