A Hall County deputy remains on paid administrative leave after shooting an unarmed motorcyclist who fled from a traffic stop earlier this month.
The deputy fired a single shot and struck the biker in the chin. According to Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch, the deputy fired thinking the suspect was armed. He says at one point during the encounter, “The suspect abruptly turned to face the deputy while rapidly extending his arms. The suspect appeared to have a black object in his hand as he did so.”
It turned out the black object was a motorcycle glove. No weapon was found at the scene.
In a detailed statement about the McEver Road shooting on September 3, his first since the shooting occurred, Sheriff Couch defended his deputy’s actions. “In this incident, the deputy reasonably believed the suspect was armed and had the intent of firing a weapon.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting. According to state investigators, the deputy, whose name the sheriff’s office has not released, attempted to stop 37-year-old Marshall Anthony Hooper of Buford for speeding. After a short pursuit, Hooper wrecked and tried to leave the scene.
In his statement, Sheriff Couch outlines what happened next.
“The suspect made several furtive actions during the encounter. He first appeared to be manipulating something near his waistband while kneeling by his motorcycle. He then turned his back on the deputy and began walking away from an area lit by the vehicle’s headlights toward a dark, unlit area.”
Couch adds, “Throughout the encounter, he refused to comply with the deputy’s repeated commands to show him his hands.”
When the suspect, later identified as Hooper, allegedly abruptly turned to face him, the deputy fired one round. Deputies rendered aid to Hooper until medical personnel arrived. Hall County EMS transported him to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Hooper now faces multiple charges including obstruction of an officer, failure to stop at a stop sign, expired tag, speeding, and driving on a suspended or revoked license.
“Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous aspects of law enforcement. This is especially true when the traffic stop occurs at night and the suspect attempts to flee, fails to follow lawful commands, and makes an abrupt motion toward the deputy,” Couch says in his statement.
“In this incident, the deputy reasonably believed the suspect was armed and had the intent of firing a weapon.”
Sheriff Couch adds, “Our deputies do their best to keep both the public and themselves safe. Often, they are placed in difficult and dangerous situations where they must make split-second decisions under extremely tense situations that are uncertain and rapidly evolving, without the benefit of hindsight.”
“Thankfully, the deputy was not injured and the suspect will hopefully make a full recovery.”
Once the GBI investigation is complete it will be turned over to the Hall County District Attorney for review.
