The Gist: A routine traffic stop turned deadly in Lawrenceville when police say a a man attempted to seize a police cruiser, leading to officers fatally shooting him.
The Details: Around 3 a.m. on October 3, Lawrenceville Police halted traffic on Highway 120 near Pike Park Drive. The tension escalated when a police say a driver of a black Kia Sorento brazenly ignored the stop, executed a U-turn, and sped back towards the officers.
According to the GBI, the driver then abandoned his vehicle, making a bold attempt to hijack the officers’ cruiser. Despite the officers’ verbal commands to desist, the confrontation escalated, ending with the officers shooting and killing the man.
Identification Pending: The driver’s identity remains undisclosed as authorities are in the process of notifying the next of kin.
What’s Next: With the GBI’s investigation progressing, all eyes are on the forthcoming evaluation from the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, set to shed light on the legal and societal ramifications of the incident.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
