Holly Springs Officer Fatally Dragged, Suspect Killed: GBI

HOLLY SPRINGS, GA — A Holly Springs Police Officer has died after being dragged by a man's car. The man was shot and killed on Thursday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Preliminary information indicates that Holly Springs Police officers were conducting a traffic stop for speeding just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Harmony Lake Drive and Hickory Road.

At some point during the traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle, a man later identified as Ansy Dolce, 29, of Cherokee County, attempted to leave in his car. Dolce dragged Holly Springs Police Officer Joe Burson, 25, down Hickory Road until the vehicle crashed, the GBI said.

During the incident, Burson fired shots at Dolce. Dolce was shot and killed by an officer in the incident, the GBI said.

Other officers at the scene gave aid to both men. Dolce was taken to North Fulton Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Burson was transported to Kennestone Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The GBI will continue its investigation. Once completed, it will be turned over to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Shortly after 6 a.m., the GBI tweeted it was, "investigating an officer involved shooting at the request of the Holly Springs Police Department. A Holly Springs Police Officer has died. A male suspect has died."

An update just before 11 a.m. on Thursday said that the officer was not shot, but was dragged by the suspect’s car.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said early Thursday morning that Hickory Road from New Light Road to Little Road was closed for an active police investigation. That stretch of Hickory Road will likely remain closed throughout the morning, the department said on Facebook.