Quitman Officer Shoots Suspect During Foot Pursuit, GBI Investigating

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting at the request of Quitman Police Chief Roy Hart. The incident occurred in the 400 block of North Quincy Street in Quitman, GA, leaving one man injured. No officers were harmed during the incident.

Preliminary reports suggest that on April 12, 2024, Quitman Police were probing a previous shooting incident where a vehicle was fired upon while occupied by several individuals. Acting on information regarding this incident, police spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to the earlier shooting while on patrol.

Two officers, traveling in a marked Quitman Police Tahoe, tried to pull over the suspected vehicle. However, upon activating their lights and sirens, the vehicle continued driving briefly before the front seat passenger exited and fled on foot.

The pursuing officer, traveling as the passenger in the police vehicle, gave chase on foot through several yards, aiming to apprehend the fleeing individual. Witnesses report that during the pursuit, the suspect dropped an object on two occasions, retrieved it, and concealed it in his waistband before resuming flight.

Despite verbal commands from the officer to halt, the suspect did not comply. One of the officers discharged their firearm multiple times, striking the suspect at least once. Despite being wounded, the suspect managed to evade capture initially.

Additional law enforcement personnel joined the search, locating the suspect approximately 20 minutes later hiding in a shed within a nearby yard. He was subsequently taken into custody.

The injured individual received medical attention at the scene for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. Upon conclusion, findings will be submitted to District Attorney Brad Shealy of the Southern Judicial Circuit for review.

UPDATE: The man injured in this incident has been identified as Brian Williams, age 18, of Quitman, GA.