GBI Investigates Use of Force Incident and Death in Swainsboro

Swainsboro, Emanuel County, GA (September 22, 2026) - The GBI is investigating the death of Minh Thanh Phan, age 48, of Swainsboro, GA, following a use-of-force incident. On September 21, 2026, the Swainsboro Police Department requested the GBI to investigate. No officers fired live rounds during the incident.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 8:18 p.m. on September 21, 2026, Swainsboro Police Officers were dispatched to a parking lot located at 107 S Circle Drive, Swainsboro, GA, in response to a report of a suicidal man with a gun in the parking lot. When officers arrived, they encountered a man, later identified as Phan, holding a gun. Officers attempted to negotiate with Phan for an extended period. When Phan pointed the gun at himself, officers fired less-lethal ammunition in an effort to prevent Phan from shooting the gun. The officers’ efforts were unsuccessful, and Phan shot himself during the incident. Phan was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Phan’s body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy will be conducted.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at (478) 374-6988. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling the GBI Tipline at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), submitting a tip online, or downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile application.

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