Suspect Shot By Police Charged With Human Trafficking

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The man who was shot in an officer-involved shooting Friday evening in Sandy Springs has been charged with human trafficking stemming from an investigation into prostitution in the city, the Police Department said Saturday evening.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting, which was reported shortly after 8:30 p.m. May 11. According to the GBI, officers with the Sandy Springs Police Department were conducting an investigation Friday evening that led them to Jaquan Barnes, 22, who was wanted on attempted murder and probation violation for burglary charges of South Carolina.

Sandy Springs police spokesperson Capt. Forrest Bohannon said officers were conducting surveillance of a prostitution investigation in the 6200 block of Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Police observed Barnes in the parking lot of Courtyard by Marriott at 6250 Peachtree Dunwoody Road and officers approached the suspect's vehicle.

"Officers observed Barnes bring a female under the age of 18 to the location for sexually explicit conduct," Capt. Bohannon added.

After officers approached the vehicle, Barnes started to move his vehicle and struck two Sandy Springs police cars during this encounter. Two Sandy Springs police officers discharged their weapons and one round struck Barnes, the GBI added.

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Cops apprehended Barnes, and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The GBI said he's listed in stable condition and once he's released, he will be turned over to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

Sandy Springs police have charged Barnes with human trafficking, aggravated assault on a police officer, felony obstruction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

No officers were injured during the encounter. The GBI said it will continue its review of the incident. Once that investigation is complete, the GBI will turn the case file over to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for review.

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