Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, GA (March 16, 2019) – On Friday, March 15, 2019, the GBI was requested by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) investigation involving a Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Deputy.  The initial investigation revealed that the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office was called to 155 Pecks Mill Creek Road, Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia, at 7:19 p.m. concerning a report of a residential alarm.   Upon arrival, a deputy located a subject, identified as Valery Michelle Barron, age 33, of Cleveland, GA, at the residence found to be in the process of burglarizing the residence.  As the deputy attempted to arrest Barron, she resisted and entered a vehicle she drove to the residence.  While trying to flee the scene, Barron struck the deputy with her vehicle.  The deputy fired on the vehicle during the incident.  Barron was able to flee the scene, driving in an erratic manner.  She was subsequently arrested at her residence by the Lumpkin and White County Sheriff’s Offices.  It was determined that Barron was not injured as a result of the incident.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing.  Once complete, the investigation will be provided to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review. 

Contact Information:

Mike Walsingham - Assistant Special Agent in Charge - [email protected]