Man Dead After Charging At Athens Officers With Knife: Police

ATHENS, GA — One person is dead following an officer involved shooting that happened Monday afternoon in Athens, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a press release that shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Monday, officers responded to the 1000 block of Macon Highway to a report of a man who was armed with a knife, covered in blood, and acting erratically.

Upon arrival, officers encountered the man who was still armed with the knife. Officers gave numerous commands for the man to drop the knife, the release said. However, the man reportedly disregarded commands and continued to advance on the officers, ACCPD said.

Officers retreated as the man advanced with a knife in hand, and at one point during the encounter, the man charged at an officer, the release said.

Two officers fired several rounds at the man. He was treated at the scene by paramedics but succumbed to his wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.

ACCPD is withholding the deceased’s name pending notification of the next of kin.

In accordance with ACCPD policy, the GBI was asked to investigate this officer involved shooting. Also in accordance with ACCPD policy, the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Officers sustained minor injuries treatable on scene, the GBI said.

The shooting took place at River Club Apartments at 1005 Macon Highway in Athens.

GBI Office of Public Affairs Director Nelly Miles said this is the 39th Officer Involved Shooting that the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2019.

This article will be updated as Patch learns more information.