CHICKAMAUGA — Officers shot and killed a 60-year-old man Wednesday during a hostage situation in Chickamauga.
The incident involved Walker County Sheriff’s Deputies as well as Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force agents who responded to a domestic dispute on Brotherton Lane.
According to the GBI, preliminary information indicates that a woman who lives at the residence had been beaten and held against her will by 60-year-old Jack Lamar Harris of Chickamauga. The victim was able to separate herself from Harris and contact Walker County 911 for help.
Upon arriving at the scene, Walker County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Henry, DTF Commander Dewayne Brown, and DTF Agent Robbie Tate made their way towards the back door of the residence. Officers say Harris came out of the back door of the residence and failed to respond to verbal commands from the officers to stop and show his hands.
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Harris then reentered the residence and came back out at the officers. After exiting the residence, officers say they observed Harris holding a black handgun.
According to the GBI, Harris then raised the weapon and pointed it at the officers. The officers again gave verbal commands for Harris to drop the weapon. Harris did not, at which time the officers fired multiple times, striking Harris.
Harris was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was taken to the CHI Memorial Hospital in Fort Oglethorpe for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
No officers were injured during the incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. When completed, the case will be turned over to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.