GBI Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Chatham County

Savannah, GA (May 14, 2021) – On Thursday, May 13, 2021, at approximately 8:10 p.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) to investigate an officer involved shooting.

Preliminary information indicates that officers from CCPD were dispatched to a residence on Tara Court in Savannah regarding a person with a weapon. A neighbor called 911 and indicated that a man, identified as Vincent Gadson, 71, had pointed a gun at him. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the 911 caller. Another neighbor arrived on scene and told officers that Gadson was still outside of his residence with a gun and was actively pointing it at him.

Officers then made contact and communicated with Gadson for approximately 15-20 minutes in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Gadson refused to comply with the officers’ commands to drop the gun, and then to move away from it. At one point, Gadson put the gun down on a chair on his porch, but then again picked up the gun. Two officers fired their weapons, striking Gadson. Gadson was transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center for treatment, where he is listed in stable condition.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.