Lovejoy Police Involved in Fatal Shooting of Hampton Man

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Lovejoy Police officers responded to a suspicious vehicle in a county parking lot. Upon approaching the vehicle to check its registration, the officer observed Jean A. Cesar, 40, of Hampton, Georgia, inside the car. According to reports, Cesar was seen racking the slide of a handgun.

The officer issued commands for Cesar to drop the weapon, but Cesar allegedly pointed the gun at the officer. In response, the officer fired his weapon, fatally wounding Cesar. Despite attempts to administer aid, Cesar was pronounced dead at the scene.

No officers were injured during the incident.

At the request of the Lovejoy Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Cesar’s body has been transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be forwarded to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for review.