GBI investigating deputy-involved shooting on I-85 bridge
Multiple agencies are investigating after a Coweta County deputy shot a person during a traffic stop on I-85 on June 29, 2026. (SKYFOX 5)
MERIWETHER COUNTY, Ga. - An interstate traffic stop escalated into a shootout Monday afternoon, shutting down Interstate 85 along a strip of the Coweta County line.
What we know:
The incident unfolded on Monday afternoon along I-85 at Forest Road. A Coweta County sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop that started within Coweta County and crossed over into a small section of Meriwether County that separates Coweta and Troup counties.
The traffic stop quickly escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the deputy and a motorist.
Gunfire forces shutdown of I-85 in Coweta County area
State authorities are launching an independent investigation into an officer-involved shooting that took place on a Meriwether County bridge Monday afternoon.
Officials confirmed the deputy involved is okay and survived the shooting without injury. Following protocol for officer-involved shootings, the Coweta County Sheriff's Office contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to take over the active shooting investigation.
Local perspective:
Law enforcement officers worked to redirect cars off the road as traffic was seen backed up past the 36-mile marker, roughly one mile from the shooting scene. Motorists are being advised to exit the highway early, with a local exit available in Grantville to bypass the heavy gridlock.
What we don't know:
Authorities are still working to compile details regarding the exact circumstances of the traffic dispute. It remains completely unknown if the involved motorist was injured or killed during the exchange of gunfire, and police have not yet identified the suspect.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a live update from the scene by FOX 5 reporter Doug Evans, who coordinated directly with the Coweta County Sheriff's Office to obtain the timeline and highway condition details.