An Athens-Clarke County police officer shot a man who reached for his gun in a gas-station parking lot on the Eastside early this morning, according to law enforcement authorities.
Officer David Kelley was patroling near the Golden Pantry on Barnett Shoals Road at about 3 a.m. when he saw two men—one of whom, Justin Tramell Scott, was carrying a gun—pouring liquor into cups, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Kelley “gave multiple commands to Scott when Scott reached for his firearm, at which time Officer Kelley fired shots, striking Scott,” GBI said in a news release. “After being shot, Scott fled and was apprehended a short distance later by another ACCPD officer who responded to the scene.”
According to ACC Commissioner Andy Herod, who represents the area, Kelley fired twice, hitting Scott once in the face.
Scott, 22, was taken to a hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening, GBI said.
ACC Police Chief Scott Freeman said at a news conference earlier today that he will release footage of the shooting from Kelley’s body camera to the public after showing it to Scott’s mother, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
“I stand behind the officer 100 percent, and I believe the community will also support him after seeing the video,” Freeman said.
Kelley graduated from the police academy last fall and was the top marksman in his class, the ABH reported.
As with any shooting involving an ACCPD officer, the GBI will conduct an independent investigation and turn the results over to the Clarke County District Attorney’s office, which will decide whether to bring charges against Kelley.
Also early Saturday morning, police found the body of a 28-year-old woman, Andrea Christine Harris, who had been stabbed to death in a homeless camp off Oneta Street. Police arrested Isaac Lee Johnson, 56, of Athens and charged him with Harris’ murder. No other details have been released.
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