Grady County Sheriff Harry Young has requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct a use of force investigation, stemming from an incident Sunday of Beth Page Road in southern Grady County.

According to the GBI, Grady County 911 received a call for deputies to respond to a male having trouble breathing. 

Upon their arrival, they met a female who had been assaulted bleeding from a head wound. Grady County deputies attempted to contact a male suspect at the residence who barricaded himself inside the residence.  

Grady deputies requested assistance from the Thomas County SWAT team to attempt to arrest the male and remove him from the residence.

The male refused to communicate with Thomas County SWAT members who took control at the scene. OC gas was deployed in the residence to force the male out, but it was unsuccessful. The male threw a canister outside at SWAT members. Several less lethal weapons were used to try to gain compliance.  

SWAT members attempted to restrain and arrest the male, who continued to physically resist arrest. The male was eventually handcuffed and removed from the residence.  SWAT members noticed the man became unresponsive and they attempted to render first aid at the scene. SWAT medics and local EMTs on scene attempted resuscitation efforts, but they were unsuccessful, and he died at the scene.

An autopsy will be conducted at the GBI Crime Lab this week. The name of the male is being withheld pending notification of family.  

This case is active and ongoing.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call the GBI at (229) 225-4090.