SNELLVILLE, GA – A police shooting resulted in the death of a man in Snellville on Saturday morning. The episode unfolded around 4 a.m. during a traffic stop on US 78/West Main Street at Fountain Drive, close to the south campus of Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, stated the Snellville Police.
According to reports from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Rashawn Johnson, 36, was the driver of the vehicle that was stopped by the police. At the onset of the encounter, Johnson had his cell phone in hand, window slightly open, and was requesting to call his mother. He subsequently handed his ID to the officer who called for backup after returning to the patrol car.
According to the GBI, when the officer returned to Johnson’s car, the driver did not comply with orders to exit the vehicle and roll down his window. Subsequently, the officer warned Johnson about facing an arrest for obstruction if he did not vacate the car.
Regardless of this warning, Johnson did not leave the vehicle. When informed that he was under arrest, Johnson exhibited a gun, pointing it towards his head. According to Snellville Police, a shot was fired by Johnson, followed by a return of fire from the police. These actions culminated in Johnson sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the head on-site.
Determined to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, authorities are investigating if Johnson was killed by his own weapon or the responding officers’ gunfire. In keeping with state protocol, the investigation is now being led by the GBI, mentioned Snellville Police.