Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Dispels Rumors Surrounding Officer-Involved Shooting in St. Andrews

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has addressed rumors and misinformation circulating on social media regarding the shooting death of off-duty Atlanta Police Officer Aubree Horton in St. Andrews. False claims have surfaced, including suggestions that Captain Jon Mauney, head of the Criminal Investigation Division, was involved in the shooting and that the incident was related to a domestic disturbance involving Horton. The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that these rumors are entirely unfounded.

Incident Overview:

On October 4, 2024, at approximately 5:08 AM, off-duty Atlanta Police Officer Aubree Horton arrived at a residence located at 8025 Orkney Way in Winston, Georgia. The homeowner’s wife had recently left for work and received multiple notifications from their Ring doorbell camera showing Horton outside the front door. Alarmed by the video footage, she immediately contacted 911.

The homeowner, who was still inside the residence and in bed, was alerted by the commotion outside. Having previously experienced a frightening burglary attempt in 2021, during which the back door to their bedroom was kicked in while he and his wife were asleep, the homeowner had installed enhanced security measures, including cameras and reinforced doors. Concerned for his safety and unaware of the exact situation, he armed himself before approaching the front door.

Video footage captured the homeowner attempting to communicate with Horton through the closed door, asking if he could help and repeatedly calling for his wife to ensure she was not still at home. When the homeowner cracked the door slightly to assess the situation, Horton suddenly forced his way into the home, knocking the homeowner to the ground. Fearing for his life and in defense of his property, the homeowner discharged a single round from his firearm, striking Horton.

Response and Identification:

A Douglas County patrol officer who lived nearby heard the commotion and rushed to the scene to assist. Upon arrival, investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were unable to identify Horton, who was found without identification, shirt, or shoes. Horton’s identity was later confirmed using a portable fingerprint scanner. Further investigation revealed that he lived in the vicinity of the incident.

It was confirmed that Horton was an Atlanta Police Officer. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office immediately coordinated with the Atlanta Police Department to notify Horton’s family and allowed time for APD to issue their own statements before publicly identifying him. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

However, based on the current evidence, authorities are confident that no charges will be filed against the homeowner. The Sheriff’s Office has stated that the incident appears to be a case of self-defense, with the homeowner acting in response to a perceived threat inside his own home.

Clarification of False Claims:

To combat the spread of misinformation, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has released a detailed summary of the known facts. There is no evidence to suggest any prior connection between Horton and the homeowner, and rumors of a domestic disturbance involving Horton are false. The homeowner had no knowledge of Horton before the incident.

Video footage from the incident, including portions where the homeowner is minimally dressed and the sound of the fatal shot, will be released in a redacted form once the investigation is closed to provide additional clarity and transparency to the public.

The Sheriff’s Office is awaiting key pieces of evidence, including a toxicology report on Horton, which may take several months to be completed. In the meantime, investigators are reviewing all available facts to ensure a thorough and accurate conclusion is reached. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from spreading false information that could interfere with the ongoing investigation.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide updates as more details become available.