18-Year-Old Newnan Man Fatally Shot by Police Officer After Foot Chase, GBI Investigating
NEWNAN, Ga. – An 18-year-old Newnan man was shot and killed by a police officer early Saturday morning, Oct. 3, 2026, following a foot pursuit in Coweta County, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI identified the man as Zadarious Dorsey, 18, of Newnan. He was transported to a local hospital after the shooting but later died from his injuries.
No officers were injured during the incident.
According to preliminary information released by the GBI, the incident began around 1 a.m. when a Newnan Police Department officer spotted a white car traveling near the intersection of Dodson Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The officer followed the vehicle until it stopped on Cliff Circle.
When the officer approached the car and attempted to speak with the driver, five men immediately exited the vehicle. One walked toward a nearby residence, while the other four ran away.
The officer pursued one of the fleeing men, later identified as Dorsey.
During the foot chase, the officer repeatedly ordered Dorsey to stop, but he continued running, according to the GBI.
The officer then deployed a Taser toward Dorsey, but it was ineffective.
Investigators said the officer subsequently saw Dorsey pull a handgun from his waistband. The officer ordered Dorsey to stop and drop the weapon before firing multiple shots, striking him.
Officers provided medical assistance until emergency medical personnel arrived.
Dorsey was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.
The GBI confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the scene.
Authorities have not disclosed why the officer initially followed the white car, whether Dorsey was suspected of a crime before the pursuit or whether he pointed the gun toward the officer.
GBI Conducting Independent Investigation
The Newnan Police Department requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation investigate the officer-involved shooting.
Dorsey’s body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The GBI will examine the circumstances surrounding the traffic encounter, foot pursuit and officer’s use of deadly force.
The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Once completed, the investigative findings will be submitted to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Columbus at 706-565-7888.
