More information released in police-involved shooting

kriner@sunmulti.com

The

Georgia Bureau of Investigations said that Anthony Rawls died from multiple

gunshot wounds.

The fatal,

police-involved shooting happened after officers were dispatched to Rawls’ home

in reference to a domestic dispute.

The

49-year-old prison guard was allegedly pointing a gun at his wife when police

arrived at the 106 Huntwood Lane home. He then fired shots at police, and one

of the bullets grazed an officer only causing minor injuries.

The GBI’s

investigation could take up to 30 days to complete. The agency’s findings will

be turned over to Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig, and he will

decide whether or not the shooting was justified.

As part of normal procedure

in any officer-involved shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called

in to investigate. Also, Warner Robins Police spokesperson Tabitha Pugh said

the officers involved are on paid administrative leave until the investigation

is completed.

She says

the department is also conducting its own internal affairs investigation to

evaluate if the officers followed department policies.

Neither

the police department nor the GBI have identified the officers involved in the

incident.

Warner

Robins Police Chief Brett Evans released a statement on Tuesday that said,

“The men and women of the Warner Robins Police Department chose the law

enforcement profession to serve our community. We each took an oath to swear to

keep our citizens safe and to preserve life and protect property.

Being

forced to take someone’s life impacts an officer on a deeply personal level.

Deadly force is always a last resort and is only used when a person’s or an

officer’s life is in immediate danger. The officers involved are supervisors,

husbands, fathers and friends. They understand the importance of life and

family.

I have full confidence the Georgia Bureau of Investigations will conduct a

thorough investigation of this incident. I stand in firm support of our

officers and believe the investigation will show that they acted within the

agency’s policies and procedures in accordance with the law. The officers

involved are professional, well trained, and committed to serving the citizens

of Warner Robins. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved.

This is an active investigation. No additional details will be released from

our agency. Any questions involving this incident should be directed to the

Georgia Bureau of Investigations.”

HHJ News