Suspect apprehended
On Wednesday morning at approximately 3:30 a.m., a Habersham County Sheriff Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a truck with two flat tires at the end of Juniper Trail in Toccoa.
As the truck, driven by Jonathan William Harris, 34, of Sautee, was stopped, the deputy stepped out of his patrol car. Upon stepping out, Harris rammed the truck into the patrol car, causing it to hit the deputy and knock him onto the ground, according to reports from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
After being knocked onto the ground, Harris stepped out of the vehicle, and the deputy fired his service weapon. Harris then fled the scene.
The passenger of the truck, identified as Antone Cortez Hall, age 44, of Gainesville, was arrested at the scene and charged with obstruction of an officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and theft by receiving stolen property. Hall was booked into the Habersham County Detention Center following the incident.
Harris, who is still at large, has been charged with possession of a firearm/knife during the commission of a crime, fleeing/eluding a police officer, aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, obstruction of an officer and theft by receiving stolen property, among other outstanding warrants unrelated to the officer-involved shooting on Wednesday.
The deputy sustained minor injuries, while Harris’ condition is unknown at this time.
“The Habersham County Sheriff's Office appreciates the assistance of all its state and local partner agencies following yesterday's incident,” the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office told The Northeast Georgian. “Some of the agencies who assisted include Habersham County Emergency Services, Habersham County E-911, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Corrections, Stephens County Sheriff's Office, Banks County Sheriff's Office, Hall County Sheriff's Office, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Baldwin Police Department, Clarkesville Police Department, Cornelia Police Department, Demorest Police Department and others. We certainly don't want to leave out any agency that sent personnel, because each was appreciated.”
HCSO will be handling all criminal charges related to the officer-involved shooting, while the GBI conducts an independent investigation into the use of force.
Following the investigation, the case will be given to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review. Harris’ whereabouts are unknown at this time.
“If the individual is seen, do not approach and immediately notify law enforcement,” reads a release from HCSO.
UPDATE:
The suspect, Jonathan William Harris, 34, of Sautee, was apprehended by Habersham County deputies Thursday night after press time. No injuries were reported in Harris's apprehension.