Man Fatally Shot After Lunging at Grovetown Police Investigator With Knife, Police Say

GROVETOWN, Ga. – A 33-year-old man was fatally shot Monday afternoon after authorities say he approached an unmarked police vehicle, confronted a Grovetown police investigator with a knife and lunged into the vehicle’s doorway.

The shooting happened around 1:38 p.m. Aug. 31 at the intersection of Katherine Street and Robinson Avenue.

The man who was killed was identified as Alexis Thorpe. The officer involved was identified as Grovetown Police Department Investigator Robin Ashmore.

According to a preliminary investigation released by Grovetown Police Chief Jamey Kitchens, Ashmore was stopped at the intersection in an unmarked department Ford Explorer when Thorpe approached the driver’s side window.

Police said Thorpe began banging on the window and yelling at Ashmore.

Ashmore opened the door and ordered Thorpe to step back. As he did so, the investigator saw that Thorpe was armed with a knife, according to police.

Ashmore, who remained seated inside the vehicle, drew his handgun and ordered Thorpe to drop the knife.

Thorpe did not comply and lunged into the doorway of the vehicle, police said.

Ashmore fired two rounds.

Thorpe was struck once in the upper body and once in his left hand. He retreated to the sidewalk and collapsed.

Ashmore immediately requested emergency medical assistance, according to the department. Additional Grovetown officers arrived within about a minute and began providing medical aid until personnel from the Grovetown Fire Department and Gold Cross EMS took over.

Thorpe died from his injuries.

Police said there had been no interaction between Thorpe and Ashmore before the confrontation at the intersection. Several witnesses were present and remained at the scene to speak with investigators.

Ashmore has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy while the shooting is investigated.

Ashmore joined the Grovetown Police Department in October 2022 after retiring from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office following 26 years of service.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation and responded to the scene. District Attorney Natalie Paine was also notified and responded.

The GBI will handle further inquiries regarding the shooting.