Athens Man Dead In Shooting Involving Police: GBI

ATHENS, GA — An Athens man accused of pointing a gun at officers died Friday night after being shot by police at a Smokey Road home, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said Saturday.

Officers were responding around 11:45 p.m. to a call about a stolen car being parked in the home's driveway, the GBI said. Officers were trying to find someone in the home when they saw two men in a shed, one of which had his hands behind his back, the GBI said.

The man is accused of ignoring commands to show his hands before putting a gun to his head, the GBI said.

The officers took cover; the GBI said the man then shot several times into the shed's ceiling. He then pointed the gun at officers while coming out of the shed, the GBI said.

The officers shot the man, and he fell to the ground while holding the gun, the GBI said. Officers remained covered until backup arrived, the GBI said.

No officers were injured, the GBI said.

The man, who the GBI identified as Clinton Eli Burkhalter, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene, the GBI said. The GBI Medical Examiner's Office is performing his autopsy.

After the GBI's investigation, the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will review.