An investigation is currently underway by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) following an incident that resulted in a deputy-involved shooting in Clayton County. This occurred on Monday evening and followed a high-speed car chase that spanned multiple counties.
The GBI reports that officers from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office managed to locate a black Jeep suspected of being stolen and involved in a series of local car burglaries. The discovery of the vehicle took place around 7 p.m.
Upon sighting the vehicle, the deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, instead of complying, the driver of the Jeep chose to greatly increase their speed and flee the scene. This action sparked a high-speed pursuit that crossed over the boundaries of several counties.
Sheriff Levon Allen from Clayton County elaborated that his team was requested to join the pursuit once the fleeing vehicle entered Clayton County territories. The cross-county collaboration was aimed at bringing the situation under control and apprehending the suspects.
As the chase continued, a shocking development took place. According to the GBI, a passenger in the allegedly stolen Jeep began firing shots at the pursuing officers from a window of the moving vehicle.
The driver lost control of the Jeep after it collided with at least two other vehicles. The pursuit came to a dramatic end when the Jeep crashed in the vicinity of Tara Boulevard and Mundey’s Mill.
Post-crash, the driver, now identified as 27-year-old Brian Hill, quickly exited the wrecked Jeep. Ignoring the risk, he darted across numerous lanes of active traffic in an attempt to evade capture.
However, his escape attempt was thwarted, and he was swiftly apprehended by authorities. During this process, it was reported that a law enforcement officer shot Hill.
After sustaining gunshot wounds, Hill was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. The current condition of Hill is not clear from the information presently available.
Details surrounding the passenger of the Jeep, who reportedly fired shots at officers during the chase, remain uncertain. As of now, it is unclear whether this individual has been detained by authorities or still at large.
Several officers were involved in the incident, but thankfully, none sustained injuries during the potentially dangerous situation. Their safety has been confirmed by the GBI.
For further transparency and due process, the GBI is conducting a separate and independent investigation into all the events leading up to the shooting. The independent analysis ensures all actions are scrutinized thoroughly.
Upon the conclusion of this investigation, the findings will be handed over to the District Attorney’s Office in Clayton County for a detailed review. This will determine the next steps in the legal proceedings surrounding this case.