GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A man is dead after leading police on a wild chase that ended with him crashing into Lake Lanier.
Police say the chase started when the man crashed in Gwinnett County and then carjacked a driver.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating after the man started shooting at officers as he crashed into Lake Lanier, according to Gwinnett County police.
On Saturday, the GBI identified the suspect as John James Monahan, 26, of Ellabell, Georgia. They said an autopsy has been scheduled for Monday morning.
Police say the man was involved in a crash just before 5 p.m. Friday on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Shadburn Ferry Road. He jumped out of the car with a rifle and ran from the scene. The other people involved in the crash suffered minor injuries.
Witness Colin Evans said he was right along the suspect’s route.
“Obviously it’s not something you expect, but he was on the run.”
The man then carjacked a nearby car and took off.
Officers chased him into Shoal Creek Park, where police say he opened fire at officers. The officers fired back on the car, which then rolled into Lake Lanier. Police say the suspect continued to fire shots as the car sunk into the lake.
Police confirmed to Channel 2′s Justin Wilfon that the suspect is dead inside the car in the bottom of the lake. Dive teams have been called in.
The carjacking victim and officers were not injured.
We’ve learned a man who fled this accident scene in Gwinnett County with a rifle, then carjacked someone and drove that car to Lake Lanier. That’s where police eventually fired on the man before his car sank to the bottom of the lake. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/Cpk0xbATUh
— Justin Wilfon (@JustinWilfonWSB) February 21, 2020
Active Investigation: Peachtree Industrial Blvd at Shadburn Ferry Rd, Buford. One of the drivers in this collision fled with a rifle. Officers have saturated the area looking for the subject. pic.twitter.com/EDkEXYaBiT
— Gwinnett County Police (@GwinnettPd) February 21, 2020
Update: The victim occupants of the white SUV only suffered minor injuries. The Crime Scene Unit is on their way to the scene. pic.twitter.com/aDnedKXS93
— Gwinnett County Police (@GwinnettPd) February 21, 2020
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