GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Newnan, GA

Newnan, GA (June 16, 2020) – On Monday, June 15, 2020, the GBI was requested by the Newnan Police Department to conduct an officer involved shooting investigation.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 8:57 PM, a Georgia State Patrol Trooper radioed dispatch about being involved in a high-speed pursuit exceeding 100 mph of a male subject, later identified as Azavious Lavonta Echols, age 25, of Woodbury, GA, driving a motorcycle westbound on GA Highway 34 in Newnan, GA.  The driver of the motorcycle was identified as a black male, wearing a t-shirt with blonde dreadlocks.

At approximately 9:02 PM, a motorist called 911 and stated that a driver in a motorcycle had turned into the Greison Trail area.  A short time later, officers with Newnan Police Department and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office located a black motorcycle abandoned behind a restaurant at 67 Bullsboro Drive, Newnan, GA.  Officers then began searching the area for the driver. 

At approximately 9:05 p.m., while searching the area, officers observed Echols who matched the reported description inside of Bail Bonds 24-7 located at 629 Greison Trail. It appeared that Echols had forcibly entered the location.   Upon making contact with Echols, officers began giving him verbal commands. A Newnan Police officer alerted other officers that Echols had a gun. The Newnan Police Officer fired his duty issued handgun at Echols, striking him once in the leg.  At the time of the incident, Echols was in possession of a handgun and was reportedly reaching for it when he was shot.

Echols was transported by EMS to Atlanta Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.       

There were no officers injured during this shooting incident.

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