Deputy shoots armed robbery suspect during Athens pursuit
ATHENS, Ga - A 25-year-old man was shot during a pursuit by law enforcement in Athens after an armed robbery call on Tuesday afternoon.
What we know:
At approximately 2:24 p.m., officers from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) and deputies from the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Cricket Wireless store located in the 400 block of North Avenue. The suspected vehicle was located on Commerce Road, prompting a police pursuit.
The chase ended on Newton Bridge Road and Commerce Road, where two men abandoned the vehicle and ran away. Investigators say one of the men was armed. During the pursuit, a CCSO deputy fired at at the man, injuring him. Both individuals were apprehended, and medical aid was provided at the scene. Authorities recovered two firearms connected to the incident.
The man was identified as Javious Mattox, 25, of Athens.
In line with protocol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken over the investigation.
No one else was injured.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear why the deputy fired their weapon and whether anyone was injured during the incident. Additional details about the armed robbery that initiated the response have also not been disclosed.
What you can do:
Authorities are urging the public to assist with the investigation. Detective Hovie Lister of ACCPD stated that any tips or information could be crucial in uncovering further details. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Hovie Lister at 762-400-7333 or via email at Hovie.Lister@accgov.com. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to the GBI Tip Line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://GBI.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or through the "See Something, Say Something" mobile app.
The Source: The details in this article were made available through a joint press release from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Clarke County Sheriff's Office. This article has been updated since originally published to provide new details released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.