A former Woodstock police officer is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man following a police pursuit in October 2023. According to WSB-TV, the officer, identified as Grant Matthew Shaw, turned himself in to authorities yesterday after a grand jury indictment was issued. Shaw's arrest was confirmed by jail records, which showed he was booked into Cobb County Jail around 10 a.m.

The indictment stems from an incident that occurred when Woodstock officers attempted to halt the car of Emmanuel Malik Millard on charges of multiple traffic offenses. During the ensuing chase, officers executed a PIT maneuver that led to a crash. Attorney Andrew Lampros, representing Millard's family, said, "It's pretty clear that at the time Mr. Millard was following the officer's commands and doing what he was asked to do," in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. Following the crash, Millard, who was reportedly compliant and had shown his hands, was fatally shot by Shaw.

The death did not align with typical procedural outcomes for traffic stops. "Traffic stops are not supposed to end in the death of the person who was stopped, especially when they present no danger to themselves or anyone else," Lampros explained to FOX 5 Atlanta. Soldiers at North Fulton Hospital later pronounced Millard dead. Subsequent to the event, Shaw resigned from his post at the Woodstock Police Department in October 2023.

In the wake of the shooting, statements from both the Woodstock Police Department and the City of Woodstock have been measured. "The Woodstock Police Department understands the value of every human life and will work to maintain transparency throughout this investigation," a department spokesperson said, as reported by WSB-TV. Meanwhile, the City of Woodstock has cooperated fully with the district attorney's office but will reserve further commentary until the trial is concluded. Shaw's bond status, nor potential arraignment date have been disclosed at this time.