The GBI says an Oconee County deputy shot and killed an Athens woman after she charged at deputies while armed with a knife and lit blow torch.
40-year-old Julia Moss died at the scene.
The preliminary investigation reveals deputies responded to the home at 1001 Creek View Court in Athens on the morning of September 21 following a 911 call. Deputies met with the male caller who told them the woman inside the residence hit him in the head with an object and was being aggressive toward him.
“For approximately 17 minutes, two deputies attempted to resolve the situation by telling her to put the knife down,” says GBI spokesperson Nelly Miles. “At one point, the female made a verbal threat and charged at the deputies while still holding the knife. One deputy fired multiple times, striking the female.”
Miles says the deputies called for emergency medical assistance and provided aid. They also determined that another male was barricaded inside the residence who had been hiding from the female for several hours “due to her aggressive behavior.”
No deputies were injured in the incident. Moss’ body was to be transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to investigate, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. Once the GBI’s investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
This is the second fatal officer-involved shooting in North Georgia this week. On September 19, a Pickens County deputy shot and killed an armed man who was trying to break into a house where his wife and kids were hiding. The suspect was under a restraining order and was out of jail on bond after allegedly attempting to kill his wife.
Since the beginning of the year, the GBI has been asked to investigate a total of 71 officer-involved shootings in Georgia.
