GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Washington County

UPDATE: (December 30, 2020) - An autopsy performed on Marquavious Parks by the GBI Medical Examiner's Office on December 29 revealed that he drowned, with gunshot wounds contributing to his death. Parks was shot by a Georgia Department of Corrections officer on December 28, 2020.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Washington County, GA (December 28, 2020) – On Monday, December 28, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Corrections to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred on the perimeter of the Washington State Prison in Davisboro, GA.

Preliminary information indicates that on Sunday, December 27, 2020,  at approximately 10:39 PM, two men were in Washington County for a contraband drop at the Washington State Prison in Davisboro, GA.  

K-9 officers working the contraband drop got into a shooting incident with Marquavious Rashod Parks, age 26, of Athens, GA.  One officer was hit and transported to a hospital in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries.  The officer was treated and released.

Parks was found deceased in a nearby pond.  John Frank Snow, age 51, of Monroe, GA, was taken into custody.  Multiple charges against Snow are pending including aggravated assault against a peace officer and felony murder.  More charges are anticipated.

The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy on Parks.

The investigation indicates that the items believed to be contraband found at the scene were intended to be introduced into the prison.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Upon completion, it will be submitted to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for next steps.