A Monday afternoon officer-involved shooting brought southbound Interstate 85 near Forest Road to a standstill, clogging traffic for miles while Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents worked the scene. Officials said the Coweta County sheriff's deputy involved was not injured. Authorities have not yet identified the other motorist or released information about that person's condition. Drivers were sent off the interstate at the Grantville exit to get around the chaos, with backups stretching past mile marker 36 and delaying anyone headed south.
What unfolded during the traffic stop
The traffic stop started in Coweta County and moved into a thin stretch of neighboring Meriwether County before escalating into an exchange of gunfire, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The outlet reported that the Coweta County deputy opened fire during the confrontation and that the deputy was not hurt. As of the latest updates, authorities had not said whether the other person was struck or publicly identified. Reporter Doug Evans' live coverage supplied much of the early timing and on-the-ground detail from the interstate.
Major traffic disruption
The Georgia Department of Transportation's 511 feed showed the southbound closure went into effect around 1:45 p.m. near mile marker 35, and lanes stayed blocked while investigators worked the scene, WSB-TV reported. The station said traffic was being pushed onto local roads and warned drivers heading toward Grantville to brace for heavy delays. Officials also urged motorists to leave space for emergency vehicles as law enforcement and forensic teams operated along the highway.
GBI takes over the probe
The Coweta County Sheriff's Office asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to handle the case, and GBI agents responded to the scene, officials said. The agency typically conducts an independent forensic investigation and then turns its findings over to the local district attorney to decide on any potential charges, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As part of that process, investigators will collect physical evidence, review any available body-camera or dash-camera footage and interview witnesses before reaching conclusions. Authorities have asked anyone who has video or information about what happened to contact investigators through official channels.
