The investigation continues into an officer-involved shooting in Banks County that left one man dead. The March 23 shooting happened at a home at 151 Hebron Court in Commerce. That’s where investigators say Felix Catarino, age 52, of Commerce, refused to pay his taxi fare to a local cab driver.
A Banks County deputy was called to the scene and spoke with the taxi driver and Catarino. When the deputy tried to take Catarino into custody, the GBI says he ignored the officer’s commands and instead grabbed a metal pipe and began approaching the deputy.
The deputy fired his gun, striking and killing Catarino, according to the GBI. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The deputy was not injured in the incident.
Catarino’s body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur for autopsy.
The GBI will handle the independent investigation. Once completed, it will turn over its findings to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
This is the second officer-involved shooting in Banks County this year. On February 8, a deputy was injured in a shootout with a kidnapping suspect in Commerce.
This article has been updated with additional information
