Gainesville, GA (October 1, 2019) - On Monday, September 30, 2019, at approximately 6:07 PM, the GBI Cleveland Office was requested by the Gainesville Police Department to conduct an officer involved shooting investigation on West Avenue in Gainesville, Georgia. 

Preliminary information indicates that 911 received a call about a pedestrian hit by a vehicle on West Avenue.  The male subject was observed by witnesses to be impaired and stumbling down the middle of West Avenue when a truck at a very low rate of speed attempted to go around him.  The subject walked into the truck and fell down from the impact.  Witnesses called 911 for help.  The subject was told to stay down on the ground in case of injury but refused and walked away from the accident.  The Gainesville Fire Department responded and followed the male subject into a wooded lot to access his injuries.  The subject produced a knife and pointed it at fire department personnel.  The fire department personnel backed out and called for assistance.  The fire department personnel warned witnesses to back away because the subject had a knife. 

Two GPD officers responded and addressed the subject in the wooded lot.  The subject was given multiple verbal commands to drop the knife.  The subject then moved towards the officers brandishing the knife, at which time one officer discharged his weapon multiple times.  The subject was also shot by the second officer with a Taser.  The subject was secured and transported to the hospital where he underwent surgery and remains in critical condition.   

No officers were injured in this incident.

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

Contact Information:

Nelly Miles - Public Affairs Director - 404/270-8330