Thomasville Police Department Deletes Statement After Controversial Officer-Involved Shooting

Thomasville Police Department comments under post involving the shooting of Alfred Cole Photo by Thomasville Police Department via FacebookPhoto byTCS Facebook

Thomasville, GA. August 3, 2023 - Alfred Shawntez Cole, a 19-year-old Thomasville resident, has been named as the victim of a recent fatal officer-involved shooting by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Wednesday shortly after 2 p.m. incident off Meadow Street has sparked controversy and drawn attention from the general public.

In order to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the terrible event, the Thomas County Sheriff's Office asked the GBI to conduct a separate investigation. The GBI responded by disclosing some early details regarding the incident.

The Thomas County Drug Squad agents were reportedly in the area looking for an unrelated suspect when they got a "Be On the Lookout" (BOLO) notice regarding a beige Toyota Camry driving recklessly, according to the GBI. The agents tried to start a traffic stop after seeing the car. But the motorist sped up, starting a brief chase.

Following this, the driver allegedly ran from the car while brandishing a semi-automatic weapon. Two agents fired their rifles in response to this alleged threat, hitting Cole. He was taken to the hospital urgently, but he later died from his wounds.

The Thomas County Sheriff's Office first addressed the event on its Facebook page after it sparked widespread interest. The message was later removed, though, which raises more concerns about accountability and openness in law enforcement.

The post shared the GBI's press release and added the following statement before it was taken down: ”We would like to emphasize that Deputies attempted to use a taser first." The removal of this statement has increased community suspicions and stoked rumors about the reason behind its removal.

August 3, 2023 - Thomasville Police Department post statement involving the shooting of Alfred ColePhoto byThomasville Police Department

StatementPhoto byThomasville Police Department

The police department also commented on the same Facebook post, claiming that they attempted to tase Cole as he got out of the car, further complicating the situation.

The comment said, “They attempted to tase him as he exited the car. As they were trying to do so, they saw him holding the gun.”

The GBI is undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the incident because of how serious it is. A medical examiner will autopsy Cole's body, and after the GBI has finished its investigation, the District Attorney's Office will evaluate the GBI's findings.

The neighborhood is still on edge while the incident plays out and demands transparency and explanations. The general public is eagerly expecting the GBI's final report and is closely following developments. The outcome of this case will unquestionably significantly affect how law enforcement and the community they serve interact.