COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into a police shooting that left a man injured in Newnan.
According to the GBI, Georgia State Troopers became involved in a chase with a driver on a motorcycle on GA Highway 34 that reach speeds of 100 mph at around 9 p.m. Monday.
Authorities said 25-year-old Azavious Lavonta Echols had driven off from a traffic stop on Interstate 85 earlier.
The Newnan Police Department and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office later found Echols’ motorcycle abandoned behind a Chinese restaurant at 67 Bullsboro Drive in Newnan.
After searching, officers found Echols inside of Bail Bonds 24-7 located at 629 Greison Trail. Authorities said it appeared he had “forcibly” gotten inside the business.
When officers tried to speak with them, investigators said a Newnan police officer alerted the other officers that it appeared that Echols had a gun. An officer then fired his gun at Echols, hitting him in the leg.
Investigators later said at the time of the incident Echols had handgun on him and was “reportedly reaching for it when he was shot.”
Echols was taken to Atlanta Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
No officers injured during this shooting incident.
This is the 50th officer-involve shooting that the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2020. This number represents a total for the state.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over the Coweta County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Press release for OIS involving Azavious Lavonta Echols, age 25, and Newnan Police Officers. Echols is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No officers were injured. https://t.co/16Q1k1T1Nx
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) June 16, 2020
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