A simple traffic stop turned into a pursuit of an armed man with the possibility of shots fired on Thursday afternoon in Fayette County.
According to Investigator Brent Rowan of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, at just around noon a deputy instigated a traffic stop on Helmer Road at Mitchell Road in northern Fayette County, near Ga. Highway 279.
While the deputy was attempting to confirm the suspect’s identity when the man put the car in drive and took off, heading north on Helmer and turning onto Timberlake Drive, just over the Clayton County border. The suspect jumped from the rolling vehicle and began to run.
“The deputy attempted to use his Taser, but missed. At that point,” said Rowan, “the suspect drew a firearm and pointed it at the deputy.”
Rowan said that authorities are not sure whether or not a shot was fired and they are still investigating that.
“We have witnesses who report hearing a shot fired, but we’re not sure if the noise was from the Taser deployment or a shot being fired.”
The deputy didn’t return fire and the suspect fled on foot when pursued. The department’s helicopter, Hawk 1, was deployed, as well as the K-9 units, but they were unable to locate the suspect and called off the manhunt after about an hour.
“We just ran out of leads but we’re still investigating and hope to catch him soon.”
The suspect is described as a black male, approximately six feet to six feet, two inches, approximately 250 pounds, wearing blue jeans, a tan colored shirt and a black baseball cap, worn backwards.
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