GBI Investigates Officer Involved Use of Force Incident in Wrens, GA

Wrens, GA (June 22, 2020) - On Saturday, June 20, 2020, at approximately 10:30AM, the GBI was requested by Wrens Police Chief Jamey Kitchens to investigate a use of force incident that occurred on Friday, June 19, 2020 involving a Wrens Police Officer.

Preliminary information indicates that on Friday, at approximately 9:30 PM, three officers with the Wrens Police Department were patrolling in the Pine Valley Apartments in Wrens, GA. One officer was working a special duty job at the apartments and the other two officers were on regular patrol. While at the apartments, the officers observed a fight occurring between several individuals who were located within the apartment complex. While trying to break up the fight, one of the officers deployed his department issued Taser, striking a fifteen-year-old female juvenile who was actively participating in the fight. The female juvenile was also provided medical attention by EMS and was medically cleared at a local hospital.

The female juvenile was charged with affray and obstruction of an officer and released to her parent.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the female juvenile was holding a child earlier in the evening but was not holding the child at the time she was tased.

The investigation is ongoing and upon completion will be turned over to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.  Anyone with information is urged to call the GBI Office at 706-595-2575.