October 10, 2017
GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Baldwin County
Update (10/10/17) – The subject in this case has been identified as Jamel Jackson, age 18. The involved deputy has been identified as Deputy Charles Gillis.
A total of three Baldwin County deputies responded to this incident, including one deputy for the initial response with two additional deputies later responding to assist the first responding deputy. The first responding deputy arrived on scene at 2:14 pm where he initiated his body-cam. Jackson’s mother stated that her son Jamel Jackson had struck her. The deputy observed evidence resulting from a potential altercation on the mother’s face and was going to arrest Jackson for Battery/Family Violence. Jackson would not comply with the arrest; therefore, the deputy called for assistance. The deputy continued to talk with Jackson until such time two more deputies arrived to assist with the arrest. When two of the deputies attempted to physically arrest Jackson, Jackson resisted and a brief physical struggle ensued. The deputies made preparations to tase Jackson to gain compliance from Jackson when Deputy Charles Gillis mistakenly drew his firearm instead of his Taser, firing one shot into Jackson’s arm. Deputy Gillis has advised GBI agents that his intent was to use his Taser. This incident has been viewed by the GBI from the vantage point of three different body cams worn by each responding deputy and the actual shooting is captured on body cam. Deputy Gillis and the other responding deputy arrived on scene for support at the same time.
Jamel Jackson remains in a hospital in Macon and is expected to be released sometime today. The GBI has secured arrest warrants for Jackson’s arrest for Battery/Family Violence (misdemeanor) and Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer (misdemeanor). Deputy Gillis is the only law enforcement officer that fired a weapon and there were no Taser deployments by any of the deputies during the encounter. The deputies administered first aid until the arrival of EMS.
Deputy Gillis has been placed on administrative leave by Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee. The GBI investigation remains active and ongoing and will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office when complete.
Baldwin County, GA (10/9/17) – On Monday, October 9, 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved shooting in Baldwin County, GA.
Preliminary information provided by Baldwin County authorities indicates that at approximately 2:00 PM, Baldwin County deputies responded to a domestic call for assistance at 49 West Apartments and encountered a male subject and his mother who had called for assistance at her apartment. As the deputies attempted to take the subject into custody, the male subject was shot one time in the arm by a deputy. The subject was transported to Navicent Health Hospital in Macon where he is reportedly in stable condition.
No officers were injured during this incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation to determine what occurred. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office for review.