GBI Will Conduct Independent Investigation into Smyrna Police Shooting

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to begin its own investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of an unarmed man in Vinings, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

According to District Attorney Vic Reynolds, both the Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office cleared the request with the Smyrna Police Department before asking the GBI to look into the March 24 killing of 25-year-old Nicholas Thomas. The GBI has agreed to conduct a separate investigation, and Reynolds said that investigation is now underway. Once the GBI investigation is complete, it will be delivered to the district attorney’s office for review.

On March 24, Smyrna police Sgt. Kenneth Owens and officers Chris Graeff and Mark Cole were joined by four Cobb County police officers in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant on Thomas, who was working at the Goodyear inside the Vinings Crossing shopping center. Police say that when Thomas saw the officers approaching, he drove a customer’s white Maserati around the building several times in a reckless manner, and then drove straight at the officers.

More on the Killing of Nicholas Thomas From Smyrna-Vinings Patch:

• Smyrna Officer Involved in Fatal Shooting Faced Assault, Battery Charges in ‘99: Report
• Vigil For Man Killed by Smyrna Police Draws Hundreds of Supporters
• Prayer Vigil Planned For Man Killed by Smyrna Police
• Smyrna Police Identify Officers Involved in Fatal Shooting Incident
• Protesters Disrupt Smyrna-Area Restaurants After Police Shooting
• Smyrna Police Chief: Cobb PD, DA’s Office Will Investigate Officer-Involved Killing
• Family of Man Slain By Smyrna Police Want Independent Investigation
• UPDATE: Police Say Vinings Shooting Victim Drove Vehicle At Officers, One Officer Opened Fire

At this point, police say that Owens feared for his safety and fired at the Maserati, killing Thomas. Owens has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, police said.

Smyrna police chief David Lee said in the days following the shooting that Cobb County Police and the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office would handle the investigation into the shooting, with Smyrna police conducting their own internal probe. Lee said he spoke with civil rights leaders to assure them that the investigation would be fair and impartial.

However, questions regarding the official sequence of events are already being asked; according to WSB-TV. witnesses said that the police account is incorrect. Additionally,footage recorded of the Maserati shows no bullet holes in the front window, which suggests that Thomas was not driving directly towards Owens and the other officers when he opened fire.