ATHENS, Ga. — A 44-year-old Athens man is in critical condition after being shot by an Athens-Clarke County police officer Monday afternoon outside a homeless center, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The shooting happened around 4:30 p.m. on July 27 at the Homeless Day Service Center at 240 North Avenue.
According to the GBI, an employee noticed a man yelling outside the front entrance of the center and opened the door to check on him. The man, later identified as John Weeks, allegedly continued yelling while holding a knife in each hand.
The employee closed the door and sought assistance from an Athens-Clarke County police officer who was working an off-duty security assignment at the center. The officer requested backup, and additional officers responded.
Investigators said officers approached Weeks and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knives. Weeks allegedly refused to comply and began walking toward the officers. One officer then fired, striking Weeks.
Weeks was transported in critical condition to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.
No officers were injured.
Following the shooting, the officer involved was placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy, said Athens-Clarke County Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Katie Jenkins.
The GBI is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be submitted to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens at (706) 552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), through the GBI’s online tip portal, or by using the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
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