Update
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shared the police body camera video of the shooting incident on E. Marable Street Thursday that resulted in the death of 63-year-old Mahlon Edward Summerour.
Update
Interim Police Chief RV Watts confirmed that a 63-year-old man was shot dead on E Marable Street in Monroe (near the Hot Spot store) at about 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, by a Monroe police officer responding to the scene of a report of a man with a gun. Mahlon Edward Summerour was pronounced dead at the hospital in Athens after attempts to revive him on the scene were unsuccessful. The two officers who responded to the scene have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a GBI investigation, according to Watts. The gun turned out to be a replica Thompson submachine gun.
The incident was recorded on the officer’s camera and Watts said he was very comfortable that it was a justifiable shooting and he would be happy to release the tape once it has been viewed by the family of the deceased. GBI public information officer, Nellie Miles, said she is confirming with the Walton County District Attorney that it would be OK to do so and, if given the go-ahead, the video would be released by the GBI.
Watts said the officers had responded to the call that the suspect had a gun. When they pulled up on the scene, the two officers exited the vehicle and called for the suspect to put down the gun, but he allegedly refused to give it up, turning it towards the officers.
“The one officer fired his weapon, striking him in the chest. The man drops the weapon and the second officer immediately started administering first aid to him and EMS was notified,” Watts said. “Once EMS got on the scene, he was transported to the hospital in Athens where he was pronounced deceased.”
Watts said Summerour was known to the police department. The family was notified and allegedly reported that Summerour did have some mental issues. Watts asked that the community keep the family of the deceased as well as the two officers involved in their prayers.
Miles said this was the 73rd officer-involved shooting in Georgia that the GBI has been called on to investigate this year. She said once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Alcovy Circuit Court District Attorney’s office. The 74th shooting also occurred Thursday following the shooting of a Georgia state trooper on I-75 in Bartow County. The officer was injured, but not fatally. Miles said the suspect was subsequently shot dead at the scene.
This is the third officer-involved shooting that the GBI has been called on to investigate in Walton County this year. Chavius Hollis, 26, was shot dead by Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies after he allegedly shot a family member at a home on Lovers Lane in Monroe and William Earnest Brooks, 43, died in an alleged shootout with Walton County Sheriff’s deputies and a Social Circle police officer at Hard Labor Creek Reservoir on July 26. That shooting is still under investigation.
Press release by Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Monroe Interim Police Chief RV Watts on the officer-involved shooting in Monroe.. (Apologies for poor quality of the sound)
Initial breaking news story
Monroe Police Department has requested the GBI investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred at about 9 a.m. this morning when Officers responded to a man with a gun call. GBI agents are currently on the scene, according to officials.
Details to follow.
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