The GBI and local agencies continue to actively search for a man accused of shooting two sheriff’s deputies in southwest Georgia’s Thomas County around midnight Tuesday.
The reward for information leading to his arrest was increased to $10,000 earlier this week.
The manhunt for Tyler Keith Henderson, 25, of Ochlocknee, has kept Thomas residents on edge for several days. Authorities warned locals to be vigilant and have issued a Blue Alert, an emergency designation that is activated for “violent criminals who kill or seriously injure law enforcement officers,” according to the GBI.
Henderson is being sought after firing on three deputies early Tuesday morning, hitting two of them, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office said. One deputy was partially protected by a ballistic vest, but the second was hit underneath their vest and suffered a gunshot wound. The more seriously injured deputy was taken to the hospital, and both are now stable, according to Thomas sheriff’s office spokesman Capt. Steven Jones.
The shooting took place in Ochlocknee, a small town about 12 miles from Thomasville, when multiple deputies tried to serve Henderson with a warrant, Jones said. During the interaction, he was able to get control of one of the deputies’ guns, Jones said, and fire at them before escaping.
Henderson has evaded capture despite an all-out search effort that has included helicopters buzzing over the small rural town. The 2020 census counted Ochlocknee’s population at 672.
“Henderson is a convicted felon and is no stranger to the law,” the sheriff’s office posted on social media. “His current Facebook shows a previous wanted poster.”
Henderson was last arrested in December when he was charged with multiple counts, including fleeing from police, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving with a suspended license and reckless conduct, according to a publicly posted booking report by the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. Henderson is on probation after he was previously convicted on a burglary charge, Jones said.
Authorities have released photos of Henderson shirtless that show distinctive tattoos on his right arm, shoulder and neck, parts of which would be visible if he were wearing a T-shirt.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Henderson is asked to call 911 or the Thomas sheriff’s office at 229-225-4151. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
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