Murder suspect shot in gunfire exchange with officers in Gwinnett
New York murder suspect shot in Gwinnett standoff
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Marshals apprehended New York murder fugitive Kean Wiggins following a shooting exchange in Buford, according to law enforcement officials.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A New York murder suspect is in custody after opening fire on law enforcement officers during an hours-long manhunt in Gwinnett County on Thursday morning, according to authorities.
What we know:
Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals arrived at a home on Binnies Way NE around 6:13 a.m. to serve an arrest warrant on 35-year-old Kean Wiggins. Wiggins, who was wanted in connection with the May 6 fatal shooting of Shardonay Tyce in Troy, New York, ran into a nearby treeline before officers could make contact.
The search prompted soft lockdowns at three nearby campuses, including Freeman’s Mill Elementary School, Mountain View High School, and Twin Rivers Middle School, as well as the temporary closure of Braselton Highway.
According to Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office Chief Cleo Atwater, during the search the suspect did not come out of the home, because he was already in the backyard and hid himself in the wood line.
As deputies tried to find him at the location on Binnies Way, Wiggins fired shots, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
The search for the suspect ensued as he continued running through the wood line.
At around 11:30 a.m., officers and Marshals spotted Wiggins along the 2300 block of Old Peachtree Road.
Police provide update after manhunt forces school lockdowns
Murder suspect Kean Wiggins, who was being sought in Gwinnett County, has been taken into custody, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department. The GCPD holds a news conference to update the public on the situation.
During the early exchange of gunfire, Wiggins was injured.
He received emergency medical treatment on scene before being taken to a local hospital under arrest.
No officers, deputies or community members were injured during the incident.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called to investigate the incident.
Authorities added that Wiggins was not alone in the home where officers went to serve the warrant. Authorities added that a woman was also arrested for harboring a fugitive.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office said there is no known ongoing threat to the public related to the incident.
Kean Wiggins. Courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department
What we don't know:
Authorities have not disclosed Wiggins' current medical condition or detailed the formal Georgia charges he will face in addition to his murder warrant.