Ex-Towns County deputy arrested for false report after alleged shooting

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested a former Towns County deputy for making false reports after he claimed he was shot during a traffic stop.

The backstory:

Austin Bradburn, 26, of Blairsville, claimed he was patrolling around Plott Town Road at around 2 a.m. on Dec. 13 when he discovered a silver Honda sedan without a license plate.

Former Towns County Deputy Austin Bradburn

Bradburn said the driver, a six-feet-tall, 175-pound white man, got out of the car and approached him.

According to Bradburn's report, the driver grabbed his gun. During a brief struggle, seven shots were fired and Bradburn was hit twice.

Former Towns County Deputy Austin Bradburn

Bradburn said the suspect got away, leaving the gun behind.

What they're saying:

The GBI now says Bradburn made multiple false statements and violated his oath of office in both Union and Hall counties.

The organization said they conducted an independent investigation that revealed information that didn't support Bradburn's claims.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call Towns County 911 or the GBI Tipline at 800-597-TIPS (8477), online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile application.

The other side:

Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney Joshua Schiffer said Bradburn could face additional charges for creating a manhunt for an apparently nonexistent suspect. 

"[It was] a lie that not only cost US assets, risk sources, and the attention span of law enforcement, but could have resulted in a real tragedy," Schiffer said. "Imagine if someone fit in this general description would have been pulled over with an all-points bulletin involving a law enforcement shooting. Those officers are going to approach that subject with extreme caution and aggression."

The GBI refused to elaborate on how investigators determined that the officer-involved shooting was a hoax, citing the on-going investigation.

Sheriff Kenneth Henderson also declined to comment when reached by phone Wednesday afternoon.

"It will be very interesting to see what the GBI investigation digs up," Schiffer said. "Whenever we have an incident like this, it demands independent investigation by an independent law enforcement agency."

What Bradburn said:

FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rob Dirienzo interviewed Bradburn just days after the alleged shooting.

During the interview, Bradburn was adamant about wanting to catch the man who shot him.

"I just want to catch this guy and get him caught, so no other officers are put in danger," Bradburn said. "If he’s willing to do that to an officer, there’s no telling what else he’s capable of."

There was a GoFundMe campaign launched to support his recovery. That online fundraiser has since stopped accepting donations.

What we don't know:

The GBI did not specify which of Bradburn's claims were false, and did not say where he is currently being held.

The alleged shooter has also not been identified.

The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rob DiRienzo and a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This article has been updated since it was originally published to provide new details.

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