Suspect In Death Of GA Officer Fatally Shoots Self: GBI

Updated 1:38 p.m.

WARM SPRINGS, GA — State authorities say the man accused of fatally shooting a Georgia police officer late Tuesday night in Warm Springs has died.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday canceled a Blue Alert issued for Jimmy Steverson, 23. The GBI said Steverson died by suicide in South Carolina.

Georgia authorities were searching for Steverson after accusing him of shooting and killing Warm Springs Police Sgt. Chris Fisher.

Around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Anderson County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a car in which Steverson was a passenger, the GBI said.

When approaching the car, authorities discovered Steverson was suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the GBI said. Steverson was taken to a local hospital, where he died, the GBI said.

A manhunt for Steverson's whereabouts were underway early morning after he was accused of fatally shooting Fisher while he was on-duty around 11:55 p.m. Tuesday in Warm Springs.

Fisher had finished an unrelated traffic stop in the 5600 block of Spring Street and was sitting in his patrol car in a motel parking lot, the GBI said.

A black 2026 Chevrolet Silverado then stopped beside Fisher's patrol car, and the GBI said Steverson shot into Fisher's patrol car multiple times. Fisher was hit, and Steverson fled the scene, the GBI said.

Fisher was pronounced dead at the scene, the GBI said. His body was taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy will be conducted.

Steverson was reportedly known to Fisher, who arrested Steverson on Thursday, WXIA-TV's Cody Alcorn reported. He was reportedly booked on drug and weapon charges, as well as a charged of obstruction of a law enforcement officer through threats or violence.

He was reportedly released from jail on a combined $10,000 bond Friday.

Fisher joined Warm Springs Police on May 18 and became a sergeant on July 7, Alcorn reported.

"Marty, the girls and I are deeply saddened this morning by the news that Officer Chris Fisher has been killed," Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted Wednesday. "This is a tragic reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis in service to their communities, and I ask that all Georgians lift up Fisher’s family and his fellow officers in prayer."

Once the GBI's investigation is completed, the case file will be given to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Warm Springs is located in Meriwether County, about 60 miles southwest of Atlanta.

If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline operates 24 hours a day and can be reached at 988. The Crisis Text Line can provide support through text messages by texting "HOME" to 741741.