The GBI has released the name of the man who was shot and killed during an incident Thursday involving three Hall County deputies.
He’s identified as 29-year-old Joseph Villanueva of California.
Incident began with a 911 call
The shooting happened early Thursday in the 2300 block of Ridgeway Drive near Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville. Preliminary information indicates that a 911 call was made to the Hall County 911 Center at approximately 6:40 a.m. The caller indicated a Hispanic male was walking in the area of Ridgeway Drive armed with a handgun, according to the GBI.
Hall County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene.
“Deputies responded to Ridgeway Drive where one deputy encountered a Hispanic male subject walking between mobile homes,” states a press release from GBI Public Affairs Director Nelly Miles. “The subject showed the deputy his gun. The deputy attempted to make contact with the subject but he ran. The subject ran up a hill and encountered a second deputy and charged towards this deputy with his gun pointed at him. Deputies fired at the subject and hit him multiple times.”
Miles tells Now Habersham, “Evidence obtained from the investigation at this point indicates that Villanueva fired his gun.” She says it has not been determined at what point it was fired.
A press release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office issued shortly after the shooting occurred said the subject fired “multiple gunshots” at deputies while running away. Three deputies returned gunfire, striking him.
Villanueva died at the scene. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for Friday, June, 15.
No law enforcement personnel were injured in the incident.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to handle the investigation. The sheriff’s office also followed standard protocol and placed the three deputies on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation.
Once its complete, the GBI will forward the results of the investigation to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.
Updated 6/14/18@9:30pm
