Report on Athens-Clarke police shooting says suspect fired first, lead cops on long car chase

A case report released Thursday on an Athens-Clarke police shooting under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation shows the suspect fired his gun first.

After the suspect, Walter McGuire, 25, of Linda Street, Colbert, tried to flee in an SUV and fired his pistol, officer Tyrone Brooks-Craig “returned fire, striking the vehicle at least twice,” according to the report.

No one was wounded in the gunfire, but the GBI was asked soon afterward to investigate the shooting that occurred at about 9:30 p.m. May 3 along Hickman Drive in Athens.

Jesse Maddox, agent in charge of the Athens GBI office, said Thursday that agents are still working the case.

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The report notes that the incident began while officers Brooks-Craig and Alia Della Fortuna were conducting a house check at Bethel Homes. A man later identified as McGuire was seen dressed in all black with a hoody covering his face.

When confronted by police, McGuire mumbled and kept walking and failed to stop as police requested, according to the report.

Police said McGuire then began running and officer Della Fortuna saw him with an object that she thought could be firearm. Police reported that McGuire pointed the object in their direction. At that point, the officers took cover behind a parked vehicle and were able to confirm he had a firearm, police reported.

Police said McGuire climbed into a Ford Explorer, began driving and while making a U-turn he fired the gun. Brooks-Craig responded with gunfire.

A vehicle pursuit then began with police officer Jimmy King documenting the driver running numerous stop signs as it ventured along North Avenue, First Street, Vine Street, Peter Street and eventually onto the Athens Perimeter.

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During this time, a Georgia State Patrol trooper arrived and took over the lead pursuit. Police said the chase turned onto Georgia Highway 72 and traveled in the direction of Madison County. At one point McGuire was traveling east in westbound lanes.

The report shows the trooper positioned himself near the Explorer and performed a PIT maneuver, which caused the Ford to crash and roll multiple times.

Police said McGuire exited the wrecked vehicle and began walking away, but after “a very slow process, we were able to finally take him into custody without further incident.”

Officers also recovered a Taurus snub nose revolver at the crash scene and the gun’s serial number showed it was reported stolen, according to the report.

McGuire was booked on 12 charges, most related to the pursuit, but he also faces two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer. He remained in the Athens-Clarke County Jail on Thursday without bond on the felony charges.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: ACC police release report on gunfire exchange investigation