Suspect arrested in shooting of Georgia deputy

Deputy shot in face during an traffic stop on I-85

Photo by Jos Zozaya, WTVM-TV

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Authorities say a suspect was arrested hours after a west Georgia sheriff's deputy was shot in the face during a traffic stop south of Atlanta.

Russell County, Alabama, Sheriff Heath Taylor told WTVM-TV  that 24-year-old Joe Lee Garrett was arrested after the 7:30 p.m. shooting. Police say Garrett turned himself in and was transported to Russell County Jail. He was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, and was being held as a fugitive from justice in relation to the shooting.

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No other arrests have been made and the case remains under investigation.

Police previously said three people were inside a 1994 blue Chevrolet Caprice on I-85 southbound near Columbus when they were stopped by the Harris County deputy. It was not immediately known why the deputy stopped the car.

The deputy, whose name has not been released, suffered a single shot to the face, above the left eye while walking up to the vehicle. He was rushed to a hospital and is being treated. The deputy's condition was not immediately known

Deputies say the vehicle was caught on dash cam video.


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