GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Newton County

Covington, GA (June 23, 2021) – On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) to investigate an officer involved shooting.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 6:20 p.m., NCSO deputies were located at a residence in the 3400 block of Highway 162 in Covington to arrest Alexander Matthew Collins, 27, of Covington, who had outstanding arrest warrants for aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and pointing a gun at another person. Collins was located inside the residence while deputies negotiated with him to surrender. The NCSO SWAT Team was also deployed during the standoff.

At approximately 8:27 p.m., Collins came out of the house and the SWAT Team attempted to take him into custody. Collins then pulled out a handgun and fired at deputies. One deputy returned fire, striking Collins. Deputies and EMS provided medical aid, but Collins was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy will be performed on Collins by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur.

One NCSO deputy was shot during the incident. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment and later released.

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