Thomaston, GA (June 16, 2020) – On Monday, June 15, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Thomaston Police Department to conduct an officer involved shooting.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 6:50 p.m., the Thomaston Police Department (TPD) received a 911 call in reference to a disturbance involving a male subject armed with a gun at a residence located on Springdale Drive in Thomaston, GA. Upon arrival, the initial responding officer heard gunfire coming from the back of the residence. Additional officers from the Thomaston Police Department and the Upson County Sheriff’s Office responded and observed a male subject, identified as James Wayne Redd, Jr., 46, wearing a heavy jacket and blanket and carrying a handgun.

Officers confronted Redd, Jr. and ordered him to drop his handgun. Redd, Jr. refused to drop his handgun and reportedly pointed the handgun towards the officers. Officers armed with less than lethal munitions of pepper balls and foam rubber, shot Redd, Jr. in an attempt to disarm him. Redd, Jr. pointed his handgun at officers again at which time a TPD officer fired multiple gunshots at Redd Jr. None of the gunshots hit Redd, Jr. Following additional rounds of pepper balls and foam rubber being shot at him, Redd, Jr. reportedly fell to the ground and shot himself in the head with his handgun.

Redd, Jr. was transported from the scene by emergency medical service personnel and airlifted to a hospital in Columbus, GA where he is in critical condition.

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 to the Upson County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Contact

Special Agent in Charge Fred Wimberly

[email protected]