Multiple law enforcement agencies were searching late Wednesday for a murder suspect who exchanged gunfire with officers following a car chase in Coweta County, officials said. Then, the 51-year-old man ran from the scene.
A Georgia State Patrol K-9 was shot during the incident, but survived, the GBI said.
Ira Troy Williams, 51, may have been injured and is considered armed and dangerous, the GBI said. No law enforcement officers were injured.
Shortly before 2 p.m., a trooper attempted to stop a Chevrolet Cruze on I-85 for a traffic violation, the State Patrol and GBI said. Williams gave his driver’s license to the trooper, but then left the scene and initiated a chase, the GBI said.
“During the chase, Williams fired a weapon several times from his car at troopers and Coweta County deputies who joined the chase,” the GBI said late Wednesday. “The troopers returned gunfire.”
Troopers performed several PIT maneuvers, or precision immobilization techniques, to disable the Chevrolet, the GBI said. When the vehicle chase ended in Grantville. Williams got out of his car and again fired his weapon several times at troopers while running away, according to investigators.
Grantville Mayor Richard Proctor told Channel 2 Action News that Williams is a wanted murder suspect. No details were released about that prior case.
Additionally, Coweta Sheriff Lenn Wood told Channel 2 that the suspect had an AR-15.
Officials urged those near Ga. 29 and Calico Loop to “get inside and lock the doors and report any suspicious activity” shortly after the incident. Proctor said residents in the Canterbury Springs subdivision, which is surrounded by a large wooded area, should be extra cautious.
K-9 Amor was shot during the incident. The police dog was taken to Blue Pearl Hospital in Sandy Springs for surgery, officials said. Amor was released from the hospital later Wednesday, the GBI said.
Georgia first lady Marty Kemp asked for prayers for the K-9 in a Twitter post.
“Please join me in praying for this K-9′s swift recovery, and for comfort for his handler and family,” Kemp said.
Last month, K-9 Titan with the Coweta sheriff’s office, was shot to death, becoming the first police dog in the state killed in the line of duty this year.
The shooting Wednesday was the 84th involving officers being investigated by the GBI this year. The agency will conduct an independent investigation, and once completed, the case file will be given to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the GBI regional office in Columbus at 706-565-7888. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
