GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Hall County

Buford, GA (March 2, 2020) – On Friday, February 21, 2020, the GBI was requested by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an officer involved shooting involving Gwinnett County Police Department officers and John James Monahan, Jr, 26, of Ellabell, GA. 

Preliminary information indicates that Gwinnett County Police Department officers pursued a stolen vehicle driven by Monahan, who had just been involved in a traffic accident at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Shadburn Ferry Road in Buford, Gwinnett County, into Shoal Creek Park in Buford, Hall County. It was reported that Monahan had left the scene of the accident with what was described as an AK-style rifle before stealing the vehicle. 
 
Monahan drove through the park and then drove the car into the lake. Once he drove into the lake, Monahan began firing at police officers from the area of the sinking vehicle. A police vehicle was struck several times by Monahan’s rounds. Officers returned fire at Monahan after they were fired upon. 

The GBI performed an autopsy on Monahan and it was determined that Monahan’s preliminary cause and manner of death is ruled as suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound. 
 

The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting and homicide. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over the Hall County District Attorney’s Office for review.