Suspected bank robber shot in Forsyth County

By Marcus K. Garner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A bank robber was shot and killed Monday by a Forsyth sheriff’s deputy while fleeing the scene of a crime, authorities said.

James Matthew Kenny, 50, of Cumming, died at the scene of the shooting, outside a convenience store on Georgia Highway 9, Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Karleen Chalker said

Sheriff’s deputies responded around 1 p.m. to a report of a robbery at the Wachovia Bank 5495 Bethelview Road.

Witnesses told officers a lone robber held up the bank, describing the suspect and his vehicle — a white van with the name “Professional Painting by James Kenny” on the side, Chalker said.

An officer identified someone fitting the robber’s description 10 minutes later, and followed the car to a convenience store at 5330 Georgia Highway 9, Chalker said.

According to Sheriff Ted Paxton, the officer saw the individual leave his van holding what appeared to be a handgun. The officer ordered the man to drop his weapon, and the man did not, Chalker said.

Shots were fired.

The officer was not hit, and no one in either the bank or convenience store was harmed, authorities said.

Deputies determined the man was alone. Subsequent investigation of the man’s vehicle revealed evidence in the van that Paxton said linked the man to the robbery, including an undisclosed amount of cash.

Video from the officer’s car and from the bank also identified the man, Chalker said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting as part of standard procedure for police shootings.

The officer, who is not being named, has been placed on administrative leave with pay until the investigation is complete, Chalker said.

-- Katie Leslie contributed to this article.