Officers shoot, kill man holding replica machine gun, GBI says

WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — The GBI has identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Monroe.

According to authorities, Mahlon Edward Summerour, 69, was wearing a curtain over his clothing and carrying a weapon when police responded to a call about a man carrying a gun.

The incident happened around 9 a.m. on the 400 block of E. Marable St., about one block from Athens

Technical College.

Authorities at the scene told Channel 2's Tom Regan that officers killed Summerour after he pointed the weapon at one of the officers.

Police said the gun Summerour was holding ended up being a replica machine gun.

"We didn't know it was a toy. I thought it was a real gun," said witness Malachi Sugars.

No other officers were injured.

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Family friend Sharon Baker questions the use of deadly force.

"I think it's ugly. I think something should be done about this," said family friend Sharon Baker. 'If they could have shot the man in the leg or something. If you shoot him up there, you expect them to die."

While offering condolences to the family, Police Chief R.V. Watts told Regan he is certain their actions were justified given the circumstances.

"I have reviewed the video and I feel very comfortable with the officers actions taken in this," he said.

We reached out to the GBI to find out how many officer-involved shooting they have investigated this year. So far in 2018, there have been 74 officer-involved shootings.

In 2017, there were 97.

Cox Media Group