A motorist fatally shot this week by an Emerson police officer in Bartow County was wanted on outstanding drug-trafficking charges and was considered armed and dangerous, authorities said.
Brent Andrew Brannon, 27, of Columbus was killed Wednesday morning during a traffic stop on I-75 after he allegedly pointed a handgun at Officer Robert K. Smith after the suspect had been Tasered.
Smith was working traffic enforcement when Brannon was pulled over for a tag violation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman Scott Dutton said Thursday.
A driver’s license check alerted Smith that Brannon should be considered armed and dangerous and was an escape risk, Dutton added.
Brannon was wanted on outstanding warrants for trafficking in heroin, possession of a sawed-off rifle, sale of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia from the Columbus Police Department, Dutton said.
After pulling Brannon over, Smith requested backup. Before help arrived, Brannon “became non-compliant” and Smith used his Taser on him, Dutton said. However, the Taser “was ineffective” and Brannon pointed a handgun at Smith, who shot him, Dutton said.
The incident was captured on the officer’s dash cam video, Dutton said
Brannon’s body will be transported to the GBI medical examiner’s office in Decatur for an autopsy scheduled for Friday. Once the GBI’s investigation is completed, the case will be turned over to the district attorney, Dutton said.
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