GBI: Deputy fatally shoots man who drove patrol car at him, others

The GBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Carroll County.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

The GBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Carroll County.

A 32-year-old man was shot and killed by Carroll County deputies after he drove a patrol car toward them after he was arrested, the GBI said Saturday.

The man was identified as Jessie Thedford, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.

The shooting happened north of Carrollton off Ga. 27, the sheriff’s office told Channel 2 Action News.

About 10:20 a.m., the sheriff’s office received a 911 call about a dispute between Thedford and his landlord in the 200 block of  Littleriver Road in Carrollton.

A deputy made contact with Thedford, who was not cooperative or compliant and was detained, Miles said. Another deputy arrived, Thedford was searched and a substance suspected to be methamphetamine was found on him.

Thedford was arrested, handcuffed and put in the back of a patrol car.

He managed to slip through the partition into the driver’s seat and tried to drive toward deputies and the landlord, according to the GBI. Deputies gave verbal commands to stop, but Thedford did not comply.

“One deputy fired his service weapon into the patrol car, striking Thedford,” Miles said.

He was taken to Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, where he later died.

The autopsy, performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur on Monday, concluded that Thedford was shot three times. The official autopsy report is pending toxicology testing, Miles said.

No officers were injured.

In other news: