Corrections Officer Shoots, Kills Inmate at Hospital

This is a press release.

At the request of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Sandersville, Georgia. Jacob Henson, age 31, of Canton, GA, was shot and killed in the incident. One officer was injured in this incident.  

The preliminary investigation indicates on April 23, 2024, at about 8:45 p.m., police received a 911 call about a shooting at Washington County Regional Medical Center located at 610 Sparta Road, Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia.

Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) officers were at Washington County Regional Medical Center with Henson, who was an inmate. Henson was being treated for injuries related to a separate incident in which he was stabbed during a fight that happened earlier in the day at Washington State Prison. 

While being treated, a GDC officer and Henson were in a fight. Henson overpowered the officer and grabbed the officer’s OC canister.  During the fight, the OC spray incapacitated the officer.  Henson grabbed the OC canister and then proceeded to confront the second officer with the OC canister in hand.  Henson sprayed the OC spray while advancing towards the second officer. The officer fired her gun, hitting Henson.  Henson was pronounced dead on scene.   

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at 478-374-6988. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. 

The Georgia Department of Corrections is investigating the earlier incident at Washington State Prison where Henson was stabbed. 

The GBI continues to investigate the use of deadly force by the GDC officer.  Once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.