Man who sped from traffic stop in stolen vehicle shot, killed by officers, police say

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — Police say officers shot and killed a man in Athens after he fled from a traffic stop in a stolen vehicle.

Athens-Clarke County Police said that around 9:17 a.m., officers tried to stop a car that they said was stolen out of Jackson County. As officers followed the vehicle, it left the roadway around Newton Bridge Road and a man ran from the car into the woods.

Police established a perimeter and tried to negotiate with him to surrender. The man said at one point that he had a gun.

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“At one point the man advanced toward officers in a threatening manner, with his hand concealed under his shirt and made references to having a gun,” officers said.

Police said they tried to use “less lethal munitions” on the man, but he didn’t stop advancing on officers in a threatening way and indicating he was carrying a gun.

Deputies said several officers fired at the man, killing him.

The man’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. No officers were injured.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation and officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per department policy.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 706-552-2309.

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