Emerson Officer To Suspect: "Drop The Gun!"

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues its probe into last week’s fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred along Interstate 75 in Bartow County.

The agency has also released dash cam video from the vehicle of Emerson officer Robert K. Smith, 24, which shows the traffic stop, the words spoken between the officer and motorist Brent Andrew Brannon, 27, and the subsequent shots fired during the encounter.

GBI spokesperson Scott Dutton said he doesn’t know how long it wil take to get the case to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office.

“The agents are compiling reports and interviews to complete the file for the DA,” he added.

According to the GBI, Smith was working traffic enforcement on Interstate 75 when he was informed of a tag violation on a gold sport utility vehicle traveling northbound on the highway.

Smith conducted the traffic stop, and identified Brannon as the driver.

In the video, Smith is seen approaching Brannon and inquiring about the tag violation. A driver’s license check alerted Smith that the suspect ”should be considered armed and dangerous and is an escape risk,” the GBI previously said.

The GBI also states Brannon, of Columbus, was allegedly wanted on warrants issued by that city’s police department for trafficking in heroin, possession of a sawed off rifle, sale of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Smith is heard asking Brannon about the warrants, and subsequently requests Brannon to step out of the vehicle.

“No, sir, I’m not stepping out here,” Brannon allegedly said to the officer, and asked what the arrest warrants were issued for.

The officer then opens the driver’s side door of the SUV in an attempt to get Brannon to exit the car.

That’s when, according to the GBI, Brannon allegedly became “non-compliant and officer Smith deployed his Taser at him.”

The state agency said the Taser was “ineffective,” and the driver allegedly pointed a handgun at Smith. Smith then fired at Brannon, “striking and killing him,” the GBI said.

Several rounds of gunfire can be heard on the video, and the audio picks up what appears to be the suspect wailing inside the vehicle.

Once the backup officer arrives, Smith is heard on camera saying, “He’s still alive. He pulled a gun on me.”

The backup office also commands Brannon to place his hands on the steering wheel. As the backup officer tries to get Brannon to comply, Smith walks around to the passenger side of the vehicle, opens the door and find what he says is a handgun on the floorboard.

He tosses the firearm onto the shoulder of the interstate just as more backup officers arrive on the scene. Smith remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. 

You can watch the entire video below.