23-year-old Christopher Collins was shot to death in a private drive off US 441 South after a chase with a Habersham County deputy.
Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian has cleared a Habersham County deputy of any criminal wrongdoing in the August shooting death of a Cleveland man.
In a statement released today, Christian says his office reviewed the shooting investigation results from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as well as the law regarding use of lethal force. Based on those reviews, his office determined “deadly force in this case was authorized.”
23-year-old Christopher Collins was shot by Deputy Kris Hall following a chase. Collins was being sought in connection with an armed aggravated assault in White County and attempted carjacking in Toccoa.
The chase ended on a private drive off US 441 South, just north of the Tom Arrendale Interchange, when Collins drove up the drive and was blocked by a locked gate. “Collins refused to obey lawful orders, got out of his vehicle with a gun, and was shot by the Deputy,” according to Christian
Collins died at the scene. Deputy Hall was not injured. He was placed on administrative leave. Now that he’s been exonerated Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Matthew Wurtz says, “He will be returning to work.”
Read the DA’s full statement below:
