GBI Investigates Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting, House Fire in Locust Grove

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been called in to investigate an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead during a house fire in Locust Grove, GA, early Thursday morning.

According to preliminary information, around 3:39 a.m. on September 4, 2025, the 911 center received a call reporting a house fire in the 1700 block of Cadence Street. Locust Grove Police officers arrived within a minute and found flames inside the home. After forcing entry, officers immediately encountered a man, later identified as 29-year-old Stefan Lee of Locust Grove, who was armed with a knife.

Police say Lee ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon. Officers deployed several less-lethal options in an attempt to disarm him, but those efforts failed. When Lee charged at the officers with the knife, they opened fire, fatally striking him.

As firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, they discovered the body of 26-year-old Jazzlyn Philips inside a bedroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two women and a small child were also inside the home during the incident but managed to escape as officers arrived.

Both Lee and Philips’ bodies will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy. No officers were injured.

The investigation remains active. Once complete, findings will be turned over to the Henry County District Attorney’s Office for review.