Online Purchase Meeting Turns Violent: Griffin Man Arrested After Shooting and Pursuit

A meeting arranged for an online purchase in Butts County turned violent on April 3, 2025, leaving one man shot and another in custody after a multi-county pursuit.

Butts County deputies responded to a report of a person shot on Shady Lane and determined that the victim had traveled from Augusta to meet 27-year-old Andrew Peebles of Griffin for an online transaction. During the meeting, Peebles allegedly produced a handgun, committed an armed robbery, and shot the victim once.

Peebles fled the scene, but witness information allowed investigators to quickly identify him and determine he was heading towards Griffin. Spalding County deputies were alerted and subsequently attempted a traffic stop on Peebles. He fled again, leading Spalding County deputies on a vehicle pursuit to his residence on Williams Street in Griffin.

Upon arriving at his home, Peebles abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot into the residence. Deputies from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Griffin Police Department surrounded the residence, and Peebles was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Butts County Investigators traveled to Griffin to assist with a search warrant at Peebles’ residence to gather evidence related to the shooting and robbery.

Authorities emphasized the swift apprehension of Peebles, who was arrested within 40 minutes of the initial shooting, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Butts County Sheriff’s Office, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, and the Griffin Police Department.

Butts County Sheriff’s Office highlighted their designation as a “safe meeting place” for online purchase exchanges, with marked parking spaces under 24-hour video surveillance and within sight of law enforcement.

Peebles is currently being held at the Butts County Jail on the following charges: