Swainsboro Man Dies After Shooting Himself During Police Standoff, GBI Says

SWAINSBORO, Ga. – A 48-year-old Swainsboro man died after shooting himself during an encounter with police Monday night despite officers’ efforts to intervene using less-lethal ammunition, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI identified the man as Minh Thanh Phan, 48.

At approximately 8:18 p.m. Sept. 21, Swainsboro police officers were dispatched to a parking lot at 107 S. Circle Drive after receiving a report of a suicidal man armed with a gun.

When officers arrived, they encountered Phan holding a firearm, according to preliminary information released by the GBI.

Officers attempted to negotiate with Phan for an extended period. When Phan pointed the gun at himself, officers fired less-lethal ammunition in an effort to prevent him from firing the weapon, investigators said.

The intervention was unsuccessful, and Phan shot himself, according to the GBI. No officers fired live ammunition during the encounter.

Phan was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

The Swainsboro Police Department requested an independent GBI investigation following the incident. Once completed, the investigative file will be submitted to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at 478-374-6988 or submit an anonymous tip at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).