Chase ends with Coweta County deputy shooting driver

NEWNAN — A driver who led sheriff’s deputies on a chase in Newnan is in critical condition after being shot by a deputy.

On Sunday, June 30, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the officer involved shooting.

According to the GBI, a Coweta County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol inside the Newnan Crossing Shopping Center located near the intersection of Bullsboro Drive. and Newnan Crossing Blvd at about 2:20 a.m. The deputy noticed a vehicle parked in a parking lot behind the T-Mobile cellphone store and notified dispatch.

The deputy also noticed an individual, later identified as 34-year-old Nicholas Bolton, 34 in the back seat of the vehicle, appearing to be asleep. The deputy identified himself and began speaking with Bolton. He asked Bolton for his driver’s license and to step out of the vehicle. Officials say Bolton refused to exit and produce his license.

The deputy then called for another officer to come on scene. Both deputies explained to Bolton that he was loitering and could either produce his license and exit or he would be arrested for loitering and obstruction.  

GBI officials say it was at this time Bolton climbed into the driver seat and cranked the vehicle. Deputies gave commands to Bolton for him not to drive off in the vehicle. Bolton then sped off, narrowly missing one of the deputies, leading the deputies on a brief vehicle pursuit.

A third deputy and assisted in the pursuit. A P.I.T. Maneuver was performed by a deputy to prevent Bolton from reaching Highway 34 and civilian traffic. The maneuver spun Bolton’s vehicle around where it was now facing the lead pursuit patrol vehicle. Officials say at this point, Bolton’s vehicle struck the deputy’s vehicle. The deputy exited his vehicle and noticed Bolton’s vehicle still in drive with the tires spinning trying to pull forward. To the left of Bolton’s vehicle, the second deputy tried to box him in and had exited his vehicle, attempting to give verbal commands.

According to the GBI, the deputy directly in front of Bolton’s vehicle fired one round from his agency issued weapon through Bolton’s front windshield after he saw what he believed to be Bolton actively trying to drive his vehicle in the direction of the deputy to the left of Bolton.  

Bolton was struck by the gunshot and was transported to Atlanta Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.

No officers were injured in this incident.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Coweta County District Attorney’s Office for review.