GBI investigating officer-involved shooting in Clayton

CLAYTON — The residents and staff of a Rabun County nursing home are safe after a pre-dawn officer-involved shooting.

The incident that took place outside of Mountain View Health Care Center on Warwoman Road in Clayton, was the result of a high-speed chase and wreck, according to Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait.

The incident, which happened around 3 a.m., ended in a fatality. Information has not been released yet about who was pronounced dead at the scene, but it is alleged that an officer with the Clayton Police Department, who was involved in the high-speed chase, shot the individual after fearing for their own safety.

There was no damage to the patrol car from the Clayton Police Department as it was driven off of the scene, but Mike’s Body Shop assisted law enforcement by supplying a wrecker which took the other vehicle away as it was deemed, totaled.

As is standard with officer-involved shootings, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was called and is actively reviewing the incident.

According to the lead GBI Special Agent Kimberly Williams, a press release will be sent out to notified media outlets with detailed information as to which individuals were involved in the incident.

It was alleged from a first-hand encounter, that the driver of the vehicle responsible for the high-speed chase, was of Dekalb County since the tags reflected registration in Dekalb.

The Clayton Police Department, Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and the Stephens County Coroner’s Office, which was requested by Rabun County officials due to the sensitivity of the incident, had personnel on scene.

Details of the incident will be forthcoming.

Cindy Centofanti is news director for WRBN/WGHC in Clayton and is providing details from the scene of the incident. Rob Moore is the Mountains Bureau reporter/editor for AccessWDUN.com