Robert Smith, 35, of Cookeville, Tennessee, died Wednesday following a vehicle pursuit and self-inflicted gunshot wound in Whitfield County, Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the incident at the request of the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Smith was wanted for aggravated assault in Nashville, TN. According to preliminary information, Smith traveled to Georgia on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, where he abandoned his vehicle in the Atlanta metropolitan area. He was then driven north by an acquaintance. During a stop at a convenience store in Calhoun, GA, the acquaintance fled into the store and requested employees call 911. Calhoun Police Department officers responded and attempted to engage with Smith. Smith allegedly fired a single shot in the direction of the officers. He then carjacked a customer’s vehicle and fled northbound on Interstate 75. Following the shooting incident, the Calhoun Police Department issued a “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert for the stolen vehicle. Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. According to reports, Smith fired a weapon at the deputies while driving. The pursuit concluded when Smith shot himself, causing the vehicle to crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers discharged their weapons during the incident. Smith’s body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

The GBI encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to contact them. Anonymous tips can 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. Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be handed over to the Whitfield County District Attorney’s Office for review.