Man Shot, Killed By Police Had Replica Pistol, Left Suicide Note

BUFORD, GA — The man who was shot and killed by a Gwinnett County Police officer Thursday was carrying an Airsoft replica pistol and left a suicide note in his bedroom, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Steven D. Hutchins, 27, of Buford, was killed when a Gwinnett County Police officer shot him in an early morning confrontation on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, in Buford, after a 911 caller reported a man with a fire arm walking near State Route 20.

Officers arrived within minutes and found Hutchins in front of a laundromat, located at 1330 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Officers reported that Hutchins had a firearm in his waistband, according to the GBI. The officers tried talking to Hutchins for approximately five minutes in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. During their contact with Hutchins, he pulled the gun out of his waistband and began to raise it at the officers. Gwinnett Police Officer Walter Pollock shot Hutchins in response.

One of the responding officers was a SWAT medic and began to render medical aid, but Hutchins died at the scene. The 911 call was tracked to a landline telephone in Hutchins’ residence located on Gold Creek Trail in Buford. Investigators have been unable to determine the identity of the caller. Hutchins’ house is approximately 100 yards from the shooting incident location.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once completed, the case will be turned over to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Photo of Airsoft replica pistol courtesy of Georgia Bureau of Investigation