An officer “accidentally” shot a man who was struggling with a Georgia State Patrol trooper outside a Cracker Barrel in Douglasville on Tuesday afternoon, the GBI said.
GSP troopers and Douglas County authorities were trying to arrest 28-year-old Pedro Santillan as part of an operation near the restaurant off Concourse Parkway, according to GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles.
A struggle ensued, prompting a trooper to shock Santillan with a Taser, she said Wednesday in a news release.
A Douglasville police officer then “accidentally discharged his weapon, shooting Santillan,” Miles said.
He was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. When Santillan is released from the hospital, he will be held in custody by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on methamphetamine trafficking charges, according to the release.
A second person who fled from the scene was later captured, Miles said. The unidentified person is being held in the Douglas County Detention Center on unspecified charges.
Details about the operation that led to the attempted arrest have not been released. No officers were injured.
It is the 60th officer-involved shooting investigation the GBI has opened in 2019.
The 59th investigation was opened Monday afternoon after a person of interest in two Henry County homicides was found dead after a police chase and shootout with Jonesboro police.
MORE: Man found dead in car after Henry County double homicide, shootout
About the Authors
