Staff Reports

(Gainesville, Ga.) — At approximately 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2019, gunfire was exchanged when Hall County patrol deputies attempted to stop a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was believed to have been connected with several entering autos and burglaries that occurred over the weekend.

The suspect vehicle crashed and several suspects got out and ran.  Deputies chased them on foot. Gunfire was exchanged at in the vicinity of Jesse Jewell Parkway and Highland Avenue.

One of the deputies was struck by gunfire.  He was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he died from his injuries. HIs name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

According to Derreck Booth, Public Information Officer with Hall County Sheriff’s Office, another person was hit by gunfire and was also transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. This person is believed to be the person who shot the deputy. His condition is unknown at this time.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Gainesville Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and Gwinnett County Police Department are actively engaged in a search for the remaining suspects who are considered armed and dangerous. No suspect descriptions are available at this time. Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Office at (770) 533-7693. 

As a part of standard Sheriff’s Office procedure in the event of an officer-involved shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been notified and has responded to the scene. 

Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. today, Monday, July 8, 2019, to discuss last night’s tragic death of one of his deputies and ongoing investigation.