GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Columbus

Columbus, GA (October 8, 2022) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Columbus, GA. The Columbus Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on October 8, 2022. One man was shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. No officers were injured.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 1:43 a.m., Columbus Police Department officers responded to a domestic dispute at the Circle K at 4420 2nd Avenue, Columbus, GA. When officers arrived, they were told the man involved, later identified as Jonathan Powell, age 45, of Columbus, GA, had left the location walking toward 3rd Avenue. Powell had slashed the tires of a vehicle in the parking lot of Circle K with a knife and had also assaulted a woman at Circle K with a carjack, causing minor injuries.  

While searching the area for Powell, officers found him in the 4200 block of 3rd Avenue. When officers approached Powell, he was holding a knife and ratchet strap. Officers gave verbal commands to Powell to drop the knife and rachet strap, but he did not. An officer used less lethal pepper ball munitions to gain compliance from Powell but was ineffective. Powell then threw the ratchet strap at one of the officers and made threatening statements. He then walked inside his house at 4239 3rd Avenue. A short time later, Powell walked to the front doorway of the house and drew and pointed a compound bow at the officers. At this time, one of the officers shot Powell. Powell was taken by EMS to Piedmont-Midtown Hospital in Columbus for treatment.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be turned over to the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office for review.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation may contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Columbus Field Office at (706) 565-7888. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1(800) 597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.