The GBI was asked to investigate after police said a Thomaston man shot himself in the head Monday during a standoff.
James Redd Jr., 46, was flown to a trauma hospital in Columbus following the shooting, Thomaston police Chief Mike Richardson said. He was critical but stable in the hospital’s intensive care unit, police reported Tuesday morning.
Richardson said officers made multiple attempts to get Redd to drop his gun. They were called to his home on Springdale Drive twice Monday and arrived for the second time just before 7 p.m.
The first officers on the scene heard gunshots from the back of the house, Richardson said. When backup arrived, the officers attempted to confront Redd, who allegedly had a handgun.
He was wearing a heavy jacket and a blanket, according to the GBI.
“They ordered Mr. Redd to drop the weapon multiple times and he refused and retreated through the house to the back yard of the residence,” Richardson said in a news release. “He continued to refuse to comply with orders to drop his weapon.”
While Redd was in the back yard, officers were able to get his parents to safety. He continued to fire shots, the chief said.
Negotiations continued for about 30 minutes.
“He repeatedly refused to put his gun down and pointed the gun in the direction of officers multiple times,” Richardson said.
The officers shot Redd with pepper ball and foam rubber rounds, but Richardson said the man still refused to drop his weapon. At one point, he allegedly pointed his gun directly at two Thomaston officers.
According to the GBI, one officer fired his service weapon multiple times, but the rounds missed.
“After another less-than-lethal round was administered, Mr. Redd went to the ground and raised his weapon to his head and attempted to fire the weapon twice,” Richardson said. “The weapon failed to fire each time. As officers approached while continuing to ask Redd to drop the weapon, Redd administered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right side of his head.”
Police and medics immediately began CPR, he said. No officers were injured.
The GBI has confirmed it is investigating the incident, which is the agency’s 49th officer-involved shooting this year. It follows days after the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks by Atlanta police, which has sparked another round of protests and unrest in the already volatile city.
MORE: Rayshard Brooks' family pleads for justice, change
Later Monday evening, the GBI was called to investigate its 50th officer-involved shooting in Newnan. A motorcyclist was shot by Newnan police after he led state troopers on a high-speed chase, according to the GBI.
RELATED: Man shot by Newnan police after fleeing traffic stop, officials say
All three recent incidents remain under investigation.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
In other news:
About the Author
