Athens man shot, killed by police in church parking lot

The GBI will investigate a deadly officer-involved shooting in Athens. It happened Friday evening in the parking lot of a church on West Lake Drive in Athens. Police say they shot and killed a man who charged at them with a gun.

From the Athens-Clarke Co Police Dept…

Information that we know at this time indicates the following:

Shortly before 6:30 pm, officers were involved in an incident on West Lake Drive involving an individual who was believed to be armed with a weapon.

ACCPD officers encountered an adult white male who brandished what is believed to be a firearm in a threatening manner. Officers issued verbal commands for the individual to drop the firearm. The individual disregarded the officers’ command and charged the officers with the firearm in his hand pointed in the officer’s direction. Multiple officers, fearing for their lives and safety, discharged their firearms. After the shooting, officers immediately rendered first aid and the individual was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The identity of the adult male is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay in accordance with department policy.

In accordance with our standing policy, the ACCPD has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation who have agreed to handle the investigation of the officers involved shooting. 

Audio with ACCPD spokesman Geoffrey Gilland is here…