GBI Investigates Homicide in Thomaston, Georgia

Thomaston, GA (May 23, 2021) – On Sunday, May 23, 2021, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) to conduct a death investigation. 

At approximately 6:30 pm, troopers with the GSP Criminal Interdiction Unit located a vehicle driven by a suspect in a murder investigation as he traveled west on Ponce De Leon Avenue NE in Atlanta.  The driver, identified as John Bussey, 41, of Thomaston, was a suspect in a murder which occurred in Thomaston earlier in the afternoon.  As the troopers turned around to pursue the vehicle, Bussey ran a traffic light and struck another vehicle at the intersection of Ponce De Leon NE and Monroe Drive.  The impact disabled Bussey's vehicle.  As the GSP troopers approached Bussey's car, Bussey shot himself. Bussey was pronounced dead at the scene.  An autopsy will be performed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office.

The driver and passengers in the vehicle struck by Bussey suffered non-life threatening injuries. 

The GBI will continue its independent investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Atlanta Regional Office at 770-388-5019 or online athttps://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online .