A manhunt took place in Gilmer County after a suspect exchanged gunfire with deputies near Yukon Road on Friday, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents and a secure lockout at local schools. The suspect fled into the surrounding wooded area but was located, taken into custody, and transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities identified him as Neil Gary.
According to Atlanta News First, the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office first posted about a heavy law enforcement presence near 2832 Yukon Road shortly before 2:15 p.m. Friday, shortly before deputies reported exchanging gunfire with the suspect. The shootout unfolded on Yukon Road just south of East Ellijay, placing the search in a rural, densely wooded stretch of North Georgia, as reported by 11Alive. Yukon Road remains closed between Shepherd Road and Scarlet Drive until further notice, per the sheriff's office account relayed by the station's report.
Shelter-in-Place Perimeter Drawn Around Active Search
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place alert telling residents living north of Appaloosa Drive and south of John Call Road near Yukon Road to lock their doors and stay inside while deputies searched, according to CBS News. The Gilmer County Sheriff's Office also urged the public to remain vigilant, use caution, and allow law enforcement to work safely, warning residents not to approach anyone suspicious or unfamiliar and instead to move to safety and call 911, per the same account.
Gilmer County Schools moved to a secure lockout Friday, meaning classroom instruction continued as normal inside buildings while outdoor movement and campus entry were restricted, per the district's statement. WSB-TV reports that the district said the measure was implemented out of an abundance of caution. School officials also asked parents not to call or drive to campuses, in order to keep phone lines clear and driveways open for emergency responders, according to WSB-TV.
Felony Exposure Under Georgia's Assault Statute
Firing a weapon at a law enforcement officer constitutes aggravated assault on a peace officer under Georgia law, a felony punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison with a mandatory five-year minimum sentence, according to the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. Independent GBI investigations are customary after local officers exchange gunfire.
The search is playing out across difficult terrain. Gilmer County spans roughly 427 square miles of mountainous North Georgia, with an estimated population of 33,894 as of 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Sheriff Stacy L. Nicholson has led the agency since taking office in January 2005.
Authorities identified the suspect as Neil Gary, but it is not yet known what initially sparked the confrontation. This is a developing story, and Hoodline will update as more information becomes available.
