Press Releases: 2022

Update #2: December 6, 2022

The initial GBI statement indicated that Salmon reached for a nearby handgun before he was shot by officers.  Further investigation has determined that an officer opened a bedroom door, and Salmon threw an object at the officer.  Although the officer did not see Salmon touch a firearm, he was reaching for a nearby item.  Later, agents recovered a handgun from the room he was in.

Update #1: November 5, 2022

The man that died in this incident has been identified as Marando Salmon, age 36.

ORIGINAL STATEMENT

DeKalb County, GA (November 5, 2022) - The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in DeKalb County. The DeKalb County Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on November 4, 2022.  One man was shot and has died.  No officers were injured in this incident.  

Norcross, GA (December 3, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an officer involved shooting investigation in Norcross, Gwinnett County, GA. The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on December 3, 2022. One man was shot and died. No officers were injured during the incident. 

Chatsworth, GA (December 1, 2022) – Dr. Rachelle Louise Terry, age 43, of Chatsworth, GA, has been arrested and charged with child molestation and statutory rape, related to an investigation of Terry, an administrator in the Murray County School System, having a sexual relationship with a student. Terry was charged with 10 counts of furnishing alcohol to minors during a Halloween party earlier this year. That Murray County District Attorney’s Office investigation revealed the sexual relationship and they requested the GBI to investigate on November 23, 2022. Terry was booked into the Murray County Jail.

Hamilton, GA (November 29, 2022) – James Steel, age 69, of Leesburg, GA, and a teacher at Harris County High School, has been arrested and charged with one count of sexual battery of a person under 16 years of age. A Harris County Grand Jury indicted Steel on November 14, 2022. On May 9, 2022, the Hamilton Police Department asked the GBI to investigate allegations that Steel had inappropriate contact with multiple students. Steel was booked at the Harris County Jail.

Rome, GA (November 29, 2022) – Cave Spring Police Department Officer Marvin James Armstrong, age 35, of Chattooga County, GA, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess fentanyl, conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess Percocet and use of a communication facility during the commission of a felony. Terry Lee Wheeler, age 52, of Floyd County, GA, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute Percocet, and use of a communication facility during the commission of a felony. Both men were taken to the Floyd County Jail.

Forest Park, GA (November 23, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an officer involved shooting investigation in Forest Park, GA. The Forest Park Police Department (FPPD) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on November 22, 2022. One man was shot and injured. No officers were injured during the incident. 

Cochran, GA (November 23, 2022) – Three teenagers have been arrested and each charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault (3 counts), armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act O.C.G.A. 16-15-4 (a) (7 counts), and violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act O.C.G.A. 16-15-4 (b) (7 counts).

Bluffton, GA (November 23, 2022) – On Monday, November 21, 2022, Robert Tyler Vaughn, age 26, of Clay County, Georgia, was arrested and charged in both Clay and Early Counties with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children and one count of Violation of Oath of Office by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit.

UPDATE:

The man involved in this OIS has been identified as Lerelle Chatman, age 23, of Lithonia.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lithonia, GA (November 22, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an officer involved shooting investigation in DeKalb County, GA. The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on November 21, 2022. One man was shot and killed. One officer sustained minor injuries. 

Camden County, GA (November 22, 2022) – The GBI has arrested and charged Camden County Corporal Correction Officer Mason Garrick, age 23, of Bryceville, Florida, Camden County Deputies Ryan Biegel, age 24, and Braxton Massey, age 21, both from Kingsland, Georgia, with one count of Battery and one count of Violation of Oath of Public Office.  On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office requested the GBI to investigate an incident that took place in the Camden County Jail between Camden County Jail staff and Jarrett Hobbs, age 41.