Two women accused of hiding an alleged criminal are the first arrests in what Henry County authorities are calling “phase two” of the investigation into the shooting death of police Officer Paramhans Desai.
Henry police Chief Mark Amerman and Sheriff Reginald Scandrett held a joint news conference Thursday to announce the arrests of Katlyn Finley and Madison Troy, who were taken into custody the same night shooting suspect Jordan Jackson was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jackson, 22, was on the run for five days before his death Tuesday ended a massive manhunt.
Additional arrests are expected, Scandrett said. He declined to provide details, citing the ongoing investigation.
“If you did anything to help in the killing of Officer Desai, we’re coming for you,” the sheriff said.
Desai was shot Nov. 4 while investigating a domestic dispute near McDonough, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. While few details about the shooting have been released, police circulated still images from Desai’s body camera that appear to show the officer talking to Jackson as he stood outside a house.
Four days later, the 38-year-old officer died from his injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The shooting kicked off a statewide manhunt and Jackson became the subject of a GBI blue alert, issued for those accused of assaulting officers. After Desai’s death, the hunt for his alleged killer ramped up.
It ended Tuesday night, when Jackson was found dead at an apartment complex in Riverdale, Amerman said. Jackson had barricaded himself in a room as investigators closed in. He then took his own life before being captured, the chief said.
Authorities believed Jackson was hiding out with friends. Both Finley and Troy were arrested on charges of aiding or permitting another to escape, as well as hindering the apprehension of a criminal. Amerman said their arrests were a warning to others who may have helped Jackson in the five days he was at large.
“Police officers are chosen from our community to serve as public servants. They stand that thin blue line every day between chaos and calm,” he said. “And when someone attacks and kills a police officer, this public servant, it’s an attack on all of us. When individuals a part of that community harbor, hide and help this killer attempt to go free, those too are guilty of crimes against this community.”
Desai is the seventh Georgia officer killed in the line of duty this year and the fifth to be killed while serving the Henry County Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two young children. At least two dozen other Georgia officers have died from the coronavirus, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks law enforcement deaths.
The funeral for Desai will be held Sunday at the Henry County Performing Arts Center at 37 Lemon Street in McDonough. A viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., when the service will begin, the police department announced.
About the Author
