The GBI is investigating three separate officer-involved shootings that happened over Easter weekend. 

Fulton County: 

The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia. The South Fulton Police Department (SFPD) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Friday, April 7, 2023. A 17-year-old was shot and is in critical condition at Grady Hospital. No officers were injured in this incident.

The preliminary information indicates, at 6:43 p.m., SFPD officers responded to the Burdett Place subdivision on Burdett Road regarding a 911 call of a suspicious person. When officers arrived, they made contact with Jordan Buckner, age 17, of Riverdale, GA. The officers could see Buckner was holding a gun under his shirt and gave him commands to show them his hands. During the encounter, one of the officers shot Buckner once. Buckner was transported to Grady Hospital and listed in critical condition. A handgun was recovered from the scene.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Seminole County:

The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Seminole County, GA. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on April 7, 2023. One man was shot and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Deputies received minor injuries during the incident.

Preliminary information indicates that Wolfgang Espinosa, Jr., age 25, of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, had been arrested the previous night after a car crash and subsequent DUI charge. He was being taken to the Seminole County Jail earlier the next morning when he was able to get away from deputies and steal a patrol vehicle parked at the jail.

Deputies chased Espinosa and once they caught up to him on Hwy 84, a deputy was attempting to get him out of the stolen patrol vehicle. Espinosa and the deputy struggled and during the struggle, the deputy shot him. Espinosa was shot once but was able to drive off again. At the second stop, he fought several deputies while still resisting arrest. Espinosa was then tased without effect and was able to take a taser from a deputy. Espinosa was eventually restrained and arrested. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Pataula Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Atlanta / Fulton County:

The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta Police Department (APD) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Saturday, April 8, 2023. One man was shot and is in stable condition at the hospital. One officer suffered face and head injuries and is being treated at the hospital.

Preliminary information indicates that at 3:56 a.m., APD officers responded to 1120 North Avenue NW (City of Atlanta Public Works) regarding a 911 call of a suspicious vehicle. An officer arrived and found a Ford F-250 that had crashed into the guard shack. Through the passenger side of the truck, the officer attempted to make contact with the driver, identified as Jamario Duffy, age 39, of Stone Mountain, GA, but he did not respond. The officer went around to the driver’s side of the truck. The officer opened the truck door and Duffy attempted to drive off but was not able to. The officer continued to give Duffy commands to get out of the truck. Duffy got out of the truck and immediately attacked the officer, hitting him in the face and head. During the attack, the officer shot Duffy.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.