A Marietta man was fatally shot by a Woodstock police officer after fleeing from a traffic stop Thursday night, the GBI said.
Officers were trying to stop a gray Hyundai around 10:45 p.m. for a series of traffic offenses, including failure to maintain lane, near the area of Alabama Road, or Ga. 92, and Hames Road, according to police.
The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Emmanuel Millard, fled after the officers’ initial contact and a pursuit ensued, authorities said. Police were able to stop the vehicle using a PIT maneuver, which caused Millard to crash about five miles away near Alabama Road and Old Mountain Park Road in Cobb County.
“During the attempted arrest of Mr. Millard, an officer discharged his weapon, striking Mr. Millard,” Woodstock police said in a statement.
The GBI said one shot was fired during the incident.
“As officers attempted to remove Millard from the car, an officer fired once, hitting Millard,” the GBI said. “Millard was removed from the car by officers who rendered aid until EMS arrived on scene. “
Millard was taken to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center with serious injuries, and died two days later, the GBI confirmed.
The state agency was asked to conduct an independent investigation of the shooting, and the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, which police said is standard procedure.
When the investigation is complete, the findings will be released to the Cobb district attorney for review.
“The Woodstock Police Department understands the value of every human life and will work to maintain transparency throughout this investigation,” the department said in a statement. “We will do our best to provide information as it becomes available to be released. We appreciate the community’s patience while this investigation proceeds. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is involved in this incident.”
In a separate incident, Cobb court records show Millard was indicted in August on charges including possession of marijuana with attempt to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft by taking.
Thursday’s incident was the 78th officer-involved shooting the GBI has been asked to investigate in 2023 and the third since Sunday. At this point last year, there had been 95 such incidents.
On Tuesday, a 20-year-old man was shot and killed by Middle Georgia deputies after leading them on a chase and pointing a gun, the GBI said. Peach County sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a Honda Accord EX on State University Drive in Fort Valley for a traffic violation, but the driver, later identified as Caleb D. Hooten of Warner Robins, refused to stop and led deputies on a pursuit, the GBI said.
