A North Georgia man was critically injured in a shootout with police Tuesday after he allegedly opened fire at a flooring manufacturing facility, then shot at officers during a car chase before crashing, state officials said
Courtney Wilkerson, 43, remains in critical condition after he was shot on Ga. 140 near Adairsville, the GBI said. No law enforcement officers or bystanders were injured during the alleged shooting spree, which included shots fired in Calhoun, during the pursuit and at the scene of Wilkerson’s eventual crash.
The incident began around 1:45 p.m. at Mannington Mills, a flooring manufacturer in Calhoun, according to the GBI. Wilkerson is suspected of firing at employees inside the warehouse, leading local authorities to request agencies in the area to be on the lookout for an active shooter.
Officials did not say what led to the shooting at Mannington Mills or if Wilkerson was an employee at the flooring company.
After leaving the warehouse, Wilkerson drove his dark blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck to Adairsville, where he was spotted by local police officers, Bartow County sheriff’s deputies and Georgia State Patrol troopers, the GBI said. Multiple patrol cars began chasing Wilkerson, and he started shooting at the pursuing officers as he fled, according to the state agency.
Just east of Adairsville on Ga. 140, Wilkerson’s Silverado crashed into the back of a cement mixer and came to rest in a vacant lot next to a gas station, the GBI said. Wilkerson continued shooting at the pursuing officers, who returned fire and hit him.
Wilkerson was given first aid at the scene and then taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, the GBI said.
Heavy police activity continued to block Ga. 140 until late Tuesday evening. Traffic cameras in the area showed patrol cars from multiple agencies scattered across the road. A white police SUV and Wilkerson’s Silverado appeared to be marked off by police tape.
The GBI has opened an independent investigation into the shooting at the request of the Adairsville Police Department. The results of the investigation will be turned over to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office once it is complete, the GBI said.
In accordance with the district attorney’s policies, no video footage from body-worn or dashboard cameras will be released to the public until the case is complete, according to the GBI.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
About the Author
