Police Shoot, Kill Cuffed Man When He Drives Cop Car At Cops: GBI

CARROLTON, GA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting Saturday that resulted in the death of Jessie Thedford, 32. After arrested and handcuffed, police say Thedford drove a patrol car towards deputies and police shot him. He later died. No officers were injured during the incident.

Preliminary information from Carroll County authorities indicates that at approximately 10:21 a.m., the
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a dispute between Thedford and his landlord at
217 B Littleriver Road in Carrollton. Upon arrival, a deputy made contact with Thedford who was not
cooperative or compliant and was detained. A second deputy arrived on scene and Thedford was searched
and a substance suspected to be methamphetamine was discovered on him. Thedford was placed under
arrest, handcuffed, and placed in the back of a patrol car.

At some point, Thedford moved his hands in front of him, slipped through the partition into the driver’s seat, and drove towards deputies and the landlord. Deputies gave verbal commands to stop, but he did not comply. One deputy fired his service weapon into the patrol car, striking Thedford.

(For more news like this, sign up for Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Douglasville — or other neighborhoods. Access Patch on the go with our iPhone app or our brand new app for Android phone users.)

Thedford was transported to Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton where he later died. An autopsy will be
performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur on Monday.

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

Image via Shutterstock