GBI Probes Clarkesville Officer-Involved Shooting of Man with Rifle

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been called to conduct an independent investigation into an officer-involved shooting in Clarkesville, Georgia. The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and the Clarkesville Police Department requested the GBI’s involvement on September 7, 2024.

The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. on the same day at the Cameron Apartments. A Clarkesville Police Officer was initially dispatched for a welfare check regarding a possible suicidal person. Upon arrival, the officer could not make contact with the individual, Aaron Allen Patterson, age 41, of Clarkesville, Georgia. A Demorest Police Officer was called for backup and observed Patterson walking with a handgun. Patterson fled from the officers.

As the situation escalated, deputies from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist. An officer eventually located Patterson, who was now armed with a rifle. When Patterson turned toward the officers with the rifle, multiple officers fired their weapons, resulting in Patterson sustaining several gunshot wounds.

Patterson received medical treatment at the scene before being transported by EMS to a local hospital via helicopter. He remains in critical condition.

The GBI will continue its investigation, and once completed, the findings will be forwarded to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review. No officers were injured in the incident.