VALDOSTA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has released the identity of the armed robbery suspect who was shot by a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputy Tuesday.
Jim Bravis Redmond, 28, was shot and killed by an LCSO deputy at the Pilot Travel Center off Interstate 75 Exit 11.
Redmond was wanted on U.S. Military Charges for desertion out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, according to GBI reports.
Redmond was traveling with Crystal Griffin Redd, 32, who was wanted on embezzlement charges out of Virginia. The mother of two had been missing for more than two months. She was last seen on surveillance video taking thousands of dollars from the safe of a Virginia Food Lion store where she worked, WTVR reports.
At around noon on Tuesday, the Hahira Police Department received a report of an armed robbery at the Harvey’s Supermarket at 775 Highway 122 West. A Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the robbery, said Jamy Steinberg, GBI Special Agent-in-Charge.
An LCSO deputy caught up with the suspect at the Pilot Travel Center and approached a vehicle matching the description, which was parked next to a gas pump near the store’s main entrance.
“The initial deputy that located the vehicle interviewed a female travelling with the male and learned the male suspect was hiding in the back seat of the vehicle and was armed with a pistol,” Steinberg said. “Additional backup was requested by the deputy to this location. Lowndes County Deputies and Georgia State Troopers responded to the Deputy’s request.”
Officers reportedly made several attempts to have the man surrender.
“The male did not comply with the repeated requests and exited the vehicle with a pistol,” Steinberg said. “According to preliminary witness reports, the male failed to drop the weapon or surrender before pointing the gun at law enforcement who then fired upon him.”
Redmond was taken to South Georgia Medical Center where he later died. The GBI conducted an autopsy on his body Wednesday.
Redd was uninjured and taken into custody.
The GBI has not released the number of shots fired in the incident but has released the names of eight law enforcement officers who were involved: Perry Connell, Jimmy Royals, Derrik McLeod, Robbie Norris, James Champion, Matthew Porter and Will Neel with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Trooper Brian Bass with the Georgia State Patrol.
“The case is active and additional witnesses are being identified and interviewed,” Steinberg said. “Evidence collected will be examined and analyzed by the GBI Crime lab to assist in the investigation.”
