Statement from the Georgia Department of Public Safety:
On Monday, September 2, 2024, at 6:21 pm, a Trooper from Post 13 Tifton attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on Allenville Road, in Berrien County. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop for the Trooper, initiating a pursuit. The Trooper performed a PIT maneuver which led to gunfire. The incident is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation:
At the request of the Georgia State Patrol, GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Berrien County, GA. No one was injured in the incident.
The preliminary investigation shows that a GSP Trooper initiated a traffic stop for speeding on Roy Kyle Mathis, age 53, of Berrien, County. Mathis refused to stop and a chase began. After using a PIT Maneuver, the Trooper tried to get Mathis out of the car. Mathis came toward the Trooper and the Trooper fired at the car. Mathis drove off and turned down a dirt road, into the yard of a private home where he then crashed into a tree. The Trooper tased Mathis while trying to get him out of the car.
Mathis was not injured, but was evaluated on scene by EMS and taken to a local hospital. He was released and is now in the Berrien County Jail.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Alapaha District Attorney’s Office for review.
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