New York Murder Suspect Shot After Exchanging Gunfire With Gwinnett County Officers

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – A 35-year-old man wanted on an out-of-state murder warrant was shot and wounded after authorities say he exchanged gunfire with law enforcement officers during an hourslong search in Gwinnett County.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as Kean Wiggins, 35, of Albany, New York. He was hospitalized in stable condition following the Sept. 24 shooting. No officers were injured.

The incident began at approximately 6:10 a.m. when the U.S. Marshals Service and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office attempted to execute an arrest warrant at a home in the 1900 block of Binnies Way in Buford.

Wiggins was wanted on an out-of-state warrant for murder, according to the GBI. The agency did not identify the jurisdiction that issued the warrant or provide details about the homicide case.

During the arrest operation, investigators say Wiggins fled the house and fired at Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputies.

The U.S. Marshals Service, sheriff’s office and Gwinnett County Police Department began searching for him.

About five hours later, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Gwinnett County police received a call that directed officers to an area near Freeman’s Mill Elementary School in Lawrenceville.

Officers spotted Wiggins walking along a road with a gun in his hand, according to preliminary information from the GBI.

Police gave Wiggins verbal commands as they approached. The GBI said Wiggins began firing at the officers’ vehicles, prompting officers to return fire.

Wiggins then ran into a nearby neighborhood with officers pursuing him. Authorities say Wiggins and the officers exchanged additional gunfire before Wiggins was shot and taken into custody.

He was transported to an area hospital and was listed in stable condition.

The GBI did not say how many officers fired their weapons, how many times Wiggins was struck or whether any homes or vehicles were hit during the exchanges of gunfire.

At the request of the Gwinnett County Police Department, the GBI is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI’s Atlanta Regional Investigative Office in Conyers at 770-388-5019 or submit an anonymous tip at 800-597-8477.

The GBI’s account is preliminary, and its investigation remains active.