SAVANNAH – A man wielding a makeshift spike was shot after attacking an officer during a 911 call about an altercation between two men.

Release:

The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Savannah, GA. The Savannah Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on April 10, 2022. One man has died. No officers were injured.

Preliminary information indicates that at 3:41 a.m., 911 received a report of two men fighting near Oglethorpe Avenue and McDonough Street in Savannah. The 911 caller said one of the men was wearing all black clothing. When officers responded, they found a man wearing all black talking irrationally and carrying a makeshift weapon on Abercorn Street. Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation; however, the man was not responsive and did not put down the weapon. Officers eventually approached the man as he continued to walk along Abercorn Street towards Bay Street. The man resisted officers and swung his weapon toward an officer. Officers deployed a taser, but it was unsuccessful. The man then attacked an officer with the weapon. During the attack, another officer shot the man. Officers and EMT’s administered first aid and the man was taken to a local hospital in Savannah where he was pronounced dead. A GBI agent recovered a 13” sharpened spike with an improvised handle at the scene.

Identification of the man is pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Pooler.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.