Police in Middle Georgia fatally shot a man they say barricaded himself inside a home with his three children as hostages Saturday.
Shawn Michael Evanuk, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, which happened in the Eagles Springs community in Centerville.
Centerville police were initially sent to the home on Village Walk to investigate a “domestic dispute,” according to GBI Special Agent Todd Crosby. When they arrived, Evanuk was standing in the driveway.
“Evanuk was out of jail on bond for simple battery family violence,” Crosby said, “and part of the bond agreement was to stay away from the residence.”
Investigators at the scene said Evanuk seemed upset. At some point, he went into the home and barricaded himself with his children, ages 4, 2 and 1, Crosby said.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office sent a special response team to negotiate with Evanuk. After the team arrived, Evanuk released the 4-year-old and 1-year-old, Crosby said. However, negotiators were then unable to communicate with Evanuk.
“Information was learned that Evanuk was threatening to harm the 2-year-old and to burn the house down with them in it,” Crosby said.
When investigators learned of the threats, they went into the home and found Evanuk, who they said had armed himself with a knife. Officers told Evanuk repeatedly to drop the knife, and the man began to physically struggle with an investigator, officials said. A response team member shot Evanuk one time, and he died of his injuries.
It is not clear if any of the children or officers were injured during the incident.
It’s the 17th shooting involving a law enforcement officer the GBI has been asked to investigate this year. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also tracks officer-involved shootings that don’t involve the GBI, and those numbers sometimes differ from the GBI’s tally.
About the Author
