Tuesday October 8th, 2024 7:55PM

GBI identifies 17-year-old shot dead by police in Sugar Hill

By AccessWDUN Staff

Update published Saturday, Aug. 24 at 1:15 p.m.:

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has released its initial report on Friday afternoon's officer-involved shooting near downtown Sugar Hill that left a 17-year-old boy dead.

The report identified the teen as Brayden Hemphill of Sugar Hill.

The report corroborates the initial release by the Gwinnett County Police Department, saying officers were called to the area near the roundabout on West Broad Street at Whitehead Road around 4:30 p.m. that afternoon.

"Hemphill stated he wanted to harm himself and others. He also stated he was armed with a gun and a knife," the GBI report said. "Officers gave Hemphill verbal commands to 'stop' while stating 'nobody wants to hurt you'.  Hemphill quickly advanced towards the officers while yielding the knife towards them and officers told Hemphill to 'get on the ground'. Hemphill refused the commands and continued running at the officers."

The GBI report says that was when Gwinnett police officers fired on Hemphill. He reportedly went to the ground before getting up "with the knife still outstretched" and officers shot him again.

Hemphill was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.

The GBI says its investigation is ongoing and the case will be turned over to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office for review once that investigation is complete.


Original story published Friday, Aug. 23 at 9:25 p.m.:

Authorities are investigating after an officer-involved shooting that left a 17-year-old dead near downtown Sugar Hill Friday afternoon.

A release from the Gwinnett County Police Department said officers were called just before 4:30 p.m. to an area near the roundabout at West Broad Street and Whitehead Road by a 17-year-old boy who reportedly said he was armed with a knife and a handgun.

"The male told emergency dispatchers that he was a danger to himself and others," the release from Gwinnett police said.

Police reportedly called a licensed mental health clinician to speak to the teen before officers arrived on the scene. When officers got there, they encountered the boy near the roundabout.

"As officers and the clinician tried to negotiate with the male for several minutes, the male began charging at two of the officers in a sprint," Friday's release said. "As the male approached the officers he swung the knife and the two officers fired their weapons."

The teen was hit at least once and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gwinnett police have turned over the investigation of the case to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The names of those involved have not been released.

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  • Associated Tags: GBI, Gwinnett County, sugar hill, officer involved shooting, officer shooting, Gwinnett County Police Department
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