UPDATED Sept. 8, 2024 @ 9:10 a.m.:
The GBI has identified the person who was shot in an officer-involved shooting incident on Saturday in Clarkesville.
41-year-old Aaron Allen Patterson of Clarkesville was shot and taken into a local hospital in critical condition. Officials also say no officers were injured.
Preliminary information indicated that on Sept. 7 at around 6:15 p.m., a Clarkesville police officer was dispatched to do a welfare check on a possible suicidal person at the Cameron at Clarkesville Apartment Homes.
Upon arrival, the officer was reportedly unable to make contact with Patterson. A Demorest police officer responded as backup and saw Patterson walking with a handgun.
Patterson reportedly ran from the officers. The GBI says an officer eventually found Patterson "armed with a rifle."
When an officer spoke to him, he allegedly turned towards the officers with the rifle. At that point, multiple officers fired at Patterson who sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers provided Patterson with medical treatment on scene and EMS arrived to continue treatment. EMS took Patterson to a helicopter where he was taken to a local hospital and remains in critical condition.
The GBI is still investigating the incident. Once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.
Original story published on Sept. 8, 2024 @ 7:40 a.m.:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating after an officer-involved shooting in Clarkesville.
In a press release from Habersham County, they said the incident occurred on Saturday with officers being dispatched after 6 p.m. to a welfare check on a person at the Cameron at Clarkesville Apartment Homes on Gabrels Drive.
Officers from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Officer responded for backup and were involved in the officer-involved shooting.
The incident saw units from Cornelia, Baldwin, and Demorest police departments respond as well as Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
A landing zone behind Old Clarkesville Mill was secured across the road for Air Life Georgia 14.
The GBI is investigating the details of the incident.
