A manhunt stretched into its second day in Pickens County as deputies searched for a man accused of running from a traffic stop earlier in the week, warning nearby residents to stay alert and avoid approaching him. The suspect, identified as Barry Young, is wanted on warrants for aggravated assault and other serious felony charges, and law enforcement has poured resources into the Hinton area in hopes of tracking him down.
According to Atlanta News First, Young ran from the traffic stop in Pickens County on Tuesday, prompting deputies to launch an active search for him in the Hinton area. He has reportedly been seen in the Mullinax Road area, though that sighting has not been independently confirmed beyond the initial report.
Deputies have deployed K-9 units and drones to help locate Young, the outlet's report notes, reflecting the scale of the search effort underway in the rural community. Residents in that area will be seeing heavy law enforcement activity, deputies said, as crews continue to work the search zone.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office says its 100 employees serve about 33,000 residents across 233 square miles, and lists a K-9 unit among its divisions. The county’s size helps put the search’s use of multiple tools in context: deputies are searching a broad area around Hinton, while the office has identified canine teams as part of its operations. The agency is based in Jasper, the county seat. The sheriff’s office describes its staffing and service area.
What Young Looks Like, and Why No Photo Was Released
The sheriff's office described Young as a white man with brown eyes, standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 195 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and ball cap, per the sheriff's office announcement relayed in the station's report. Notably, the sheriff's office did not include a picture of Young in its announcement; his name, warrants and a reported Mullinax Road sighting were also made public.
Deputies Urge Caution, Not Confrontation
Deputies advised Hinton-area residents to remain alert, secure their homes and vehicles, and avoid approaching anyone matching Young's description. The warning underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, given the aggravated assault warrants attached to his name.
Georgia law defines aggravated assault to include assaults committed with intent to murder, rape or rob, or with a deadly weapon or other instrument likely to cause serious bodily injury. For most aggravated-assault convictions, the statute sets a prison term of one to 20 years, though it specifies different penalties for certain circumstances. Young is described as wanted on warrants; a warrant is not a conviction, and the allegations must be resolved in court. Georgia’s aggravated-assault statute sets out the offense and penalties.
Anyone who spots Young or has information about his whereabouts has been told not to approach him under any circumstances. Deputies said to contact 911 immediately with any tips, stressing that the public should leave any encounter to law enforcement rather than intervening directly.
