An Acworth police officer shot a motorist during a Friday night traffic stop after the driver refused to exit his vehicle and pulled out a handgun, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.
According to information released by the GBI and the Acworth Police Department, an officer attempted to stop the Toyota Avalon driven by Tanner Matthew Titmas shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, suspecting that the 24-year-old was driving under the influence. Titmas “continued [to] drive around” before stopping on Ga. 92’s entrance ramp onto I-75 in unincorporated Cherokee County.
Titmas “admitted he had taken prescription medication” but denied being intoxicated, the GBI said in an emailed statement. He repeatedly ignored orders to step out of the vehicle and a supervisor was called to the scene, authorities said.
“… The officers told Titmas he was being arrested for DUI at which point he said he was not going to jail and rolled up his window,” the GBI said. ” … As one of the officers attempted to gain entry into the car by knocking out a window, Titmas produced a handgun and pointed it at the officer.”
An officer then fired through the closed window, hitting Titmas in the torso, authorities said. He was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, when he remained in critical condition Saturday afternoon. Criminal charges were pending.
No officers were injured.
The GBI will investigate the incident and forward its findings to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office.
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