BUFORD – Multiple crime scenes are active in Buford from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Shadburn Ferry Road following a three-vehicle wreck, carjacking, and shooting on Friday afternoon.
Three vehicles were involved in a wreck at the intersection of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Shadburn Ferry Road in Buford. One of the drivers of the vehicles involved in the crash got out of their vehicle and fled the scene. Unconfirmed reports are that the suspect opened fire on one of the vehicles that were occupied by a lady and at least two small children before he fled on foot.
A resident of the neighborhood directly behind the Marathon Gas station on Shadburn Ferry Road stated that she heard gunshots and saw a man with what she called an AK style gun run past her home. She then saw cops converge on the neighborhood thinking that he might still be in the neighborhood possibly in a home under construction.
Reports from residents in the area said that some 30 to 50 shots were fired but this number is unconfirmed by police.
At some point the suspect carjacked a vehicle and was chased by police into Shoal Creek Park at Lake Lanier. The chase proceeded to the rear of the park where the suspect drove into the lake. The suspect opened fire on officers striking patrol cars from inside the sinking hijacked car forcing officers to return fire.
The dive unit will be responding to the scene to recover the vehicle along with the suspect’s body from the bottom of Lake Lanier.
No officers were shot during this incident. The victims inside the vehicles that the suspect struck have minor injuries.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.
The investigation will be turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation due to the nature of the incident with it being an officer-involved shooting.
No other details are being released at this time. The scene is still very much active. Motorists are being asked to avoid Peachtree Industrial Boulevard at Shadburn Ferry Road, as well as, Shadburn Ferry Road all the way to Shoal Creek Park. There is a secondary incident at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard at South Waterworks Road too.
— By Alicia Couch Payne
