***Update***

Commerce, GA – The suspect in the shooting of a Banks County Deputy Sheriff may now be in the Atlanta area.  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Banks County Sheriff’s Office are presently investigating a kidnapping that occurred within hours of the deputy’s shooting.  A female resident of Commerce arrived home to find a suspect matching the shooter's description inside her residence.  The house is located approximately two miles from where the deputy was shot.  The female was forced at gunpoint to drive the suspect to the metro Atlanta area before she was released.  The kidnapping victim sustained minor injuries.  Investigators are working to determine the exact time and location of the suspect arriving in the Atlanta area.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 30-40 years old and was last seen wearing black clothing.  During the kidnapping incident, the suspect took a burgundy in-color “Ingles” grocery store pullover shirt.

The GBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the identity and capture of the suspect.  Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Tip-line at 1-800-597-8477, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 706-367-3784, or the Banks County Sheriff’s Office at 706-677-2248.

Commerce, GA – The GBI Forensic Artist has completed a sketch of the man wanted for shooting a Banks County Deputy Sheriff.  On Wednesday, April 26, 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Banks County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an aggravated assault on a police officer.  

Preliminary information from the Banks County Sheriff’s Office indicates that at approximately 4:10 p.m., Banks County Deputies responded to a reported robbery at the Atlanta Dragway located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce. The suspect, described as an approximately 40-year-old black male dressed in black, reportedly stole a vehicle.  Banks County Deputies attempted to stop the stolen vehicle in the area of the Tanger Outlet Center located at 800 Steven B. Tanger Blvd, also in Commerce. The suspect exited the stolen vehicle and fired multiple times at deputies before fleeing across I-85. A Banks County Deputy was struck by a round, but the bullet was stopped by his ballistic vest.  The deputy was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Agencies from throughout northeast Georgia are participating in the search for the suspect. SWAT teams from both the Georgia State Patrol and Hall County Sheriff’s Office are also on scene. 

Anyone who comes in contact with the suspect should immediately call 911.

Nelly Miles – Public Affairs Director | GBI - Decatur | [email protected]

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