The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently looking into an incident in Lamar County that ended in the fatal shooting of a man by a Department of Natural Resources ranger. The individual, identified as Dante Romearo Smith, age 28, from Bowdon, Georgia, was reportedly trespassing on private property when the altercation occurred, according to a press release from the GBI.
The initial accounts of the situation indicate that Smith was encountered by DNR rangers after a homeowner reported a trespasser. The confrontation took place near the intersection of Highway 341 and Brent Road in Barnesville, where Smith was seen with a knife. It was when Smith charged towards one of the rangers with the knife in hand, that the ranger responded with fatal force. The GBI press release confirmed "Smith had a knife in his hand and ran toward one of the DNR rangers. As Smith got close to the ranger, the ranger shot Smith."
Following protocol, Smith's body will be transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. This step is part of the comprehensive investigation that the GBI is spearheading to piece together this tragic event.
The GBI's involvement is standard in such cases, ensuring an independent review of the incident. Once their investigation reaches completion, the findings will be turned over to the Towaliga District Attorney’s Office, which will then examine the case further. This process aims to determine the appropriateness of the ranger’s actions and whether any charges will be brought forward.
