Suspect Injured, Trooper Hurt in Rockdale County Shootout; GBI Investigating

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, at approximately 11:40 p.m., a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) traffic stop in Rockdale County escalated into an officer-involved shooting, resulting in one suspect and one trooper being injured.

According to preliminary reports, a GSP trooper and his cadet attempted to stop an SUV involved in street racing on I-20.. The driver, later identified as Tony Ward, 34, of Atlanta, GA, exited onto Sigman Road and pulled into a gas station, circled the pumps, and then stopped. The passenger, Chester Williams, 41, of Jonesboro, GA, exited the SUV and fired at the troopers. One of the troopers returned fire, striking Williams.

Williams was arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Ward fled the scene but was located nearby by Rockdale County Sheriff’s Deputies and turned over to GSP.

One trooper sustained injuries during the incident and was transported to the hospital for observation.

At GSP’s request, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the officer-involved shooting and aggravated assault on an officer. The case file will be submitted to the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office for review upon completion of the investigation.