COLUMBUS — The GBI is investigating an incident that occurred in Columbus early Saturday morning when police shot a man they say pointed a compound bow at them.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 1:43 a.m., Columbus Police Department officers responded to a domestic dispute at the Circle K at 4420 2nd Avenue in Columbus. When officers arrived, they were told the man involved, later identified as 45-year-old Jonathan Powell had left the location walking toward 3rd Avenue.
Police say Powell slashed the tires of a vehicle in the parking lot of Circle K with a knife and also assaulted a woman at Circle K with a carjack, causing minor injuries.
Officers found Powell in the 4200 block of 3rd Avenue. When officers approached Powell, he was holding a knife and ratchet strap. Officers gave verbal commands to Powell to drop the knife and rachet strap, but police say he did not.
An officer used less lethal pepper ball munitions to gain compliance from Powell but was ineffective. Police say Powell then threw the ratchet strap at one of the officers and allegedly made threatening statements. He then walked inside his house at on 3rd Avenue.
According to the GBI, a short time later Powell walked to the front doorway of the house and drew and pointed a compound bow at the officers. At this time, one of the officers shot Powell.
Powell was taken by EMS to Piedmont-Midtown Hospital in Columbus for treatment.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be turned over to the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office for review.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation may contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Columbus Field Office at (706) 565-7888. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1(800) 597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
This is the 94th officer involved shooting the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2022.
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