Lithonia Man Fatally Shot by DeKalb County Police During Domestic Disturbance in Stone Mountain
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – A 26-year-old Lithonia man was shot and killed by a DeKalb County police officer Tuesday morning, Oct. 13, 2026, after authorities say he refused commands to release a woman who was carrying a baby while he was armed with a handgun.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the deceased man as Donquez Thomas, 26, of Lithonia.
According to preliminary findings released by the GBI, DeKalb County police officers responded to a domestic disturbance near Central Drive in Stone Mountain at approximately 8:43 a.m.
When officers arrived, they encountered Thomas holding a handgun while forcibly pushing a woman down the street by her clothing. The woman was carrying a baby at the time.
Police Say Armed Man Refused Commands to Release Woman and Child
According to the GBI, responding officers confronted Thomas and ordered him to release the woman and child and drop his weapon.
Investigators said Thomas refused to comply with the officers’ commands.
During the confrontation, a DeKalb County police officer fired at Thomas, striking him.
Emergency personnel transported Thomas to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The GBI confirmed that neither the woman nor the baby was injured during the use-of-force incident. No officers were injured.
Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between Thomas and the woman or provided additional details about the domestic disturbance that prompted the initial police response.
The identity of the officer who fired the shot has not been released.
GBI Investigating Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting
The DeKalb County Police Department requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
The GBI will examine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, including the actions of Thomas and the responding officers.
Thomas’ body will be transported to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The investigation remains active, and the GBI has not released additional information about the number of shots fired or the precise sequence of events immediately before the shooting.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the GBI Atlanta Regional Investigative Office in Conyers at 770-388-5019.
