The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an incident where a suspect was shot dead by law enforcement after a reported armed robbery and chase.
According to releases from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI, a call was received at 9:55 p.m. Thursday for an armed robbery at the Marathon store on Highway 80 East, at the intersection of Burkhalter Road and across from Pojo’s.
Upon arriving at the scene, “responding deputies observed the suspect vehicle, a large U-Haul moving truck, which refused to stop,” the Sheriff’s release stated.
Deputies then pursued the truck and attempted to force it to stop.
“The suspect intentionally struck multiple law enforcement vehicles and almost hit several deputies who had gotten out on foot,” according to the release.
Georgia State Patrol troopers responded to assist deputies in the pursuit, which traveled through Statesboro and into the county.
According to the GBI, deputies and troopers made multiple attempts to stop the driver, including using stop sticks and the PIT maneuver.
Finally, troopers performed another PIT Maneuver on the vehicle that resulted in the U-Haul leaving the road on Highway 301 North at Brooks Hendrix Road. The vehicle struck a power pole before coming to rest in the woods. The wreck caused some area residents and businesses to lose power.
Deputies and troopers approached the truck and gave verbal commands for the man to get out of the truck,” according to the GBI. However, the man drove the truck towards the law enforcement officers. Multiple deputies and a trooper fired at the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The GBI was called to the site and will be the lead agency conducting the investigation into the incident.
Highway 301 North between Clito Road and Old River Road North was shut down for the night and into Friday morning to allow investigators to access the scene.
The man’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Pooler for an autopsy. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.