Forsyth County Man Arrested After Shooting Sparks Shelter-in-Place and Multi-Agency Manhunt
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Forsyth County man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after deputies say a shooting endangered nearby homes, prompted a shelter-in-place order, and led to a large-scale manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 8:34 a.m. on June 30 after 911 received multiple reports of gunfire in the area of Kelly Mill Road and the Barrett Downs neighborhood in Cumming, GA.
While deputies were en route, a caller reported that bullets had penetrated a neighboring home’s child’s bedroom.
Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from a dispute between people who knew each other at the corner of 1628 Kelly Mill Road. Due to the seriousness of the incident, authorities issued a shelter-in-place alert for residents in the area.
Deputies found that multiple rounds had been fired at a vehicle during the dispute. Investigators later located the bullet-riddled vehicle at a nearby business near Bethelview Road and Kelly Mill Road, where they also found a woman believed to be involved in the incident.
The woman told deputies that James Treadwell, identified as the victim, had fled the scene. Deputies later located Treadwell near Buford Dam Road and Nuckolls Road, where he was arrested on outstanding warrants from Henry County.
Investigators then focused on locating the suspected shooter, identified as Jason Simmons, who they believed was still at the Kelly Mill Road residence.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, assisted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, secured the residence and recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Simmons, however, was not inside.
Authorities launched a large-scale search involving K-9 teams from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Johns Creek Police Department, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
At approximately 2 p.m., a resident reported seeing movement in her backyard. K-9 teams responded immediately and tracked Simmons, who was taken into custody without serious incident.
Simmons is being interviewed by investigators with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and has been charged with aggravated assault. Authorities said additional charges are expected.
The sheriff’s office also thanked the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Johns Creek Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, North Fulton SWAT, and other assisting agencies for their support during the operation.
“This individual endangered the lives of multiple citizens today. He will answer for his actions in front of a Forsyth County jury,” Sheriff Ron Freeman said in a statement. “I extend my sincere appreciation to all of the agencies who assisted FCSO today and for their continued dedication and partnership in keeping our communities safe. I am truly proud of the dedication of our FCSO deputies who were not leaving the scene without this suspect being taken into custody.”
