An officer-involved shooting that took place in Athens-Clarke County is currently under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), following a request from the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The individual shot, 25-year-old Javious Mattox of Athens, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, as reported by the GBI. In the incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, no officers were harmed during the hectic scene that moved from a Cricket Wireless Store robbery to a car chase and finally, a foot pursuit.
The series of events began with a 911 call around 2:30 p.m. concerning a robbery at a local Cricket Wireless Store. Officers from the Athens Clarke-County Police Department (ACCPD) responded swiftly, engaging in a car chase to apprehend the robbery suspects, with the CCSO providing assistance. Eventually, the chase took the suspects' vehicle off the road, prompting two men, including Mattox, to flee on foot, one, allegedly armed. The pursuit continued near Newton Bridge Road and Commerce Road, where police observed Mattox with a weapon, and a CCSO deputy discharged their firearm, striking him, according to the GBI's press release.
After the shooting, Mattox received medical attention at a local hospital for his injuries. As for the standard process in such critical incidents, the GBI has taken the helm of the independent investigation to ensure a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Once the GBI concludes its work, the case will be turned over to the Western Judicial District Attorney’s Office for a full review and potential prosecutorial determination.
The GBI's independent investigation promises objectivity in the face of a tense occurrence, they will continue to share updates as their investigation progresses, keeping the public informed on a case that's bound to elicit community concern and scrutiny.
