During a brief pursuit with Georgia police on Wednesday (Aug. 18), a motorist was fatally shot by police.
In recent media reports, a Cobb County Police officer pulled over 28-year-old Devonte Dawayne Brown of Austell, Georgia for a traffic stop because he was “driving erratically.” The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reports the driver initial pulled over but then sped off, leading to a brief pursuit.
Cobb County Sheriffs and police chased Brown and “attempted to box him in the vehicle,” but it took a turn when Brown attempted to escape.
Per the GBI statement, “Brown attempted to get away and hit multiple police vehicles,” leaving one officer with non life-threatening injuries.
GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said that as police officers attempted to arrest Brown, a Cobb County Police Department officer fired his gun, striking Brown. A hospital nearby pronounced him dead.
Brown’s biological aunt and adoptive mom, Monica Brown, told NBC News about the incident following his death, in which she believes his shooting wasn’t necessary.
The police conducted an excessive search, she told NBC News on Thursday (Aug. 19). “He couldn’t get anywhere. They surrounded him.”
Although the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, authorities have already located a “handgun” in the vehicle. Brown, a truck driver and father of four young children, was shot dead during an encounter with police and it is not yet clear whether he used any weapons during the incident.
Miles said in a statement that the investigation for the case is still very early, and that there isn’t much else to report at this time as the case is still under investigation. Following the completion of the investigation, the Cobb County District Attorney will review the findings.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
