Suspect Dead, Officer Wounded in Centerville Mall Shooting Under GBI Investigation

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Centerville, Georgia, that left a suspect dead and one officer injured.

Michael Dwayne Bell, 37, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, was shot and killed during the incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of August 8, 2025.

According to preliminary information, at about 3:45 a.m., officers from the Centerville Police Department, Warner Robins Police Department, and Byron Police Department located Bell in the parking lot of the Galleria Mall in Centerville. Bell was wanted in connection with a domestic violence incident in Byron, Peach County.

When officers attempted to arrest Bell, who was inside a semi-truck, he refused to exit the vehicle. As officers tried to gain entry, Bell fired a gun from inside, striking a Warner Robins Police officer. Officers returned fire, leading to a standoff.

After repeated attempts to communicate with Bell failed, officers entered the truck at about 6:20 a.m. and found him dead.

The injured officer was transported to Atrium Navicent Medical Center in Macon and is expected to survive. No other officers were injured.

The GBI investigation is ongoing, and the case will be turned over to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office upon completion.