The suspect in a hostage situation that took place in Tattnall County Sunday was shot and killed by officers from several Georgia law enforcement agencies after police say the hostage broke free.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office and the Reidsville Police Department were dispatched to Rabun Avenue in Reidsville at about 11:08 a.m. in reference to a home invasion and kidnapping at gunpoint.
The family of the hostage chased the suspected kidnapper and victim by vehicle until law enforcement intercepted the pursuit. According to police, the suspected kidnapper, a 51-year-old male later identified as Kelly Shannon Bowen fired shots at the hostage’s family during the initial pursuit.
According to the GBI, Bowen also fired at a Georgia State Patrol Trooper on I-16 in Candler County, grazing the trooper in the head. He also allegedly attempted to ram multiple officers during the multicounty chase. During the pursuit, the PIT maneuver was attempted multiple times, with success ending the pursuit on the side of I-16 in Bulloch County.
Once the vehicle was stopped, police say Bowen removed the hostage from the vehicle at gunpoint and then crossed a fence along the edge of I-16, entering the backyard of a residence. The hostage was able to get free from Bowen, who was then shot by multiple law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions including the Georgia State Patrol, Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, Reidsville Police Department, Evans County Sheriff’s Office, Candler County Sheriff’s Office, and Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
Bowen was flown to Memorial Health University Hospital in Savannah where he died. During the shooting, a nearby residence was struck by gunfire and an occupant suffered from a minor injury that did not require medical attention.
Bowen’s remains will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Pooler for autopsy.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Ogeechee Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
