UPDATE: Suspect dead after officer-involved shooting in Jones County
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills is leading the investigation into an officer-involved shooting that happened in Jones County early Friday morning.
UPDATE: (4:00 p.m.) – Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills released new information about a fatal officer-involved shooting in Jones County at a news conference this afternoon in Eatonton.
He says a man was shot and killed by a deputy following a car chase.
According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, the incident began around 1:22 a.m. when a deputy attempted to pull over a Jeep driven by Ronald Evans near a recreational complex. Sills said Evans was driving slowly, was not wearing a seatbelt, and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
When the deputy asked for his driver’s license, Evans fled the scene, prompting a pursuit.
The chase ended when Evans made a sudden turn into the C & J Store parking lot. He then exited the vehicle and pointed a firearm at the deputy, Sills said.
The deputy fired multiple shots. Evans was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dashcam footage of the incident is expected to be released Monday, according to the sheriff’s office. The Jones County deputy involved is scheduled to return to duty next week.
UPDATE: (2:40 p.m.) – According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, the suspect involved in the shooting is dead.
Sheriff Sills told 41NBC it all started with a car chase early Friday morning. He says after the car chase ended at C&J’s Supermarket in the Jones County Shopping Center, the suspect got out of his car and pointed a gun at deputies. Sheriff Sills says that’s when deputies opened fire, killing the suspect.
The name of the suspect has not been released at this time.
Stay with 41NBC for more information on this story as it becomes available.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened in Jones County early Friday morning, according to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.
The agency says Sheriff Howard Sills of Putnam County has been asked to lead the investigation, with Jones County deputies assisting under his direction.
A news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
“At this time, we have no further information to release,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as this investigation continues.”
We spoke with Jones County Sheriff R.N. “Butch” Reece, who said they are not commenting at this time. However, Sheriff Reece did confirm the incident happened outside C&J’s Supermarket, located at 101 GA-49 in the Jones County Shopping Center.
At last check, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is not involved in the case.
The investigation is ongoing.
