WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — An Oconee County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot an armed man Thursday evening after responding to a report of a suicidal person, according to Oconee County Sheriff James Hale Jr.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched at about 7:22 p.m. Thursday to a residence off Friar Road after receiving a report of a suicidal individual, Hale said.
According to Hale, dispatchers were told the man had injured himself with a knife, remained armed and was making statements that he intended to further harm himself.
When deputies arrived, they encountered the armed man. During the encounter, the man pointed a weapon at deputies, and at least one deputy fired, striking him, Hale said.
Deputies immediately began life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies were injured.
As is standard practice in officer-involved shootings, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation. Hale said any additional information about the case will be released by the GBI.
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