Suspect, Coweta K-9 killed in pursuit that ended in gunfire; deputy wounded

A high-speed pursuit in Coweta County ended with a crash, a sheriff’s deputy injured and his police dog killed, authorities said.

The incident started with an attempted traffic stop for an expired registration on a Chrysler 300 on U.S. 29 near Tommy Lee Cook Road around 11 p.m. Wednesday, officials said. The driver did not stop, and a pursuit ensued that continued into Fulton County and reached speeds of 110 mph, the Coweta Sheriff’s Office said. Fairburn police were also called to help, the GBI said.

The pursuing deputy eventually performed a precision immobilization technique, known as a PIT maneuver, to end the pursuit by causing the driver, later identified as Jason Andre Wilson, 23, of Atlanta, to crash.

“As officers, deputies and Coweta County K-9 Titan approached Wilson’s car, Wilson shot toward them with an AK pistol,” the GBI said.

Titan was struck multiple times and declared dead at the scene.

Officers and deputies fired back, hitting and killing Wilson.

The deputy also was struck multiple times, but the injuries were graze wounds, according to the sheriff’s office. He was taken to a hospital and has since been released.

“He should make a full recovery,” the sheriff’s office said. “K-9 Titan has served the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office for over five years. During his time, Titan has successfully located several missing persons, successfully identified illegal narcotics as well as assisted in the successful apprehension of multiple offenders.”

The GBI has been asked to investigate the shooting.

Investigators examine the scene of the fatal high-speed crash.

In January, Coweta sheriff’s deputy Eric Minix, 31, was killed in the line of duty after he was struck by an Alabama police officer’s vehicle as he got out of his own patrol car following a high-speed chase that crossed the state line. Minix had been involved in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle on I-85.