Rossville, GA (November 21, 2018) – On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at approximately 2:45 pm, the Walker County Sheriff’s Office requested GBI to conduct an officer involved shooting investigation that occurred in Rossville, GA. Preliminary information indicates two Walker County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a male subject, identified as Robert Eric Owenbey, 45, of Rossville. After a short chase, the vehicle crashed into a tree. Owenbey exited the vehicle and began firing at the deputies who returned fire, striking the subject. Owenbey fled from the scene and appeared to be injured. A manhunt began in north Walker County by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force, and the U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Over the next 26 hours, law enforcement diligently searched for Owenbey. On Wednesday, November 21, at approximately 4:15 pm, Owenbey was taken into custody without incident and transported to a hospital for medical attention.

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved in this incident are identified as Deputy Harley Elliott and Deputy Bobby Weber. They were not injured in this incident.

The GBI will conduct its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Contact Information:

Natalie Ammons - Public Affairs Deputy Director - 404-270-8332