July 22, 2019
GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Dalton, GA
Dalton, GA (July 22, 2019) – On Monday, July 22, 2019, the GBI was requested by the Dalton Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting on Abutment Road and Callahan Road, Dalton, Whitfield County, GA.
Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 9:00 AM, Whitfield 911 Center started receiving calls in reference to an agitated man at the corner of Abutment Road and Callahan Road who was stopping cars and running into the streets in the area. Dalton PD responded and encountered David Schmitt, 32 years old, of Dalton, Georgia.
As the officer arrived on scene and approached Schmitt, he physically attacked the officer. During the attack on the officer, Schmitt was tased by the Dalton officer. Subsequently, Schmitt obtained the officer’s taser and attempted to tase the officer. The officer retreated to create distance from Schmitt as Schmitt continued to charge the officer attempting to fire the taser at the officer. The officer then fired his service weapon several times at Schmitt, striking him. Schmitt was transported to Hamilton Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds.
The involved officer sustained minor injuries.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be provided to the Whitfield County District Attorney’s Office for review.