Athens-Clarke County police early Friday took the unusual step of reaching out on social media to promise the safety of the man wanted for killing one of their own if he peacefully turns himself in.
A notice posted just after midnight on the department's Facebook page and aimed at suspect Jamie Hood says that Hood "can arrange to turn himself in without fear of bodily harm simply by calling 911 or 706-546-5900."
According to the posting, "several friends and family members of Hood have told investigators that Mr. Hood would turn himself in, but he fears that law enforcement will kill him instead of allowing him to turn himself in."
"This is simply not the case," the Facebook posting continues. "All of the law enforcement agencies searching for Mr. Hood are trained to use deadly force only in response to life-threatening resistance."
On Thursday, FBI agents used stun grenades when they stormed a house on Murrell Road, according to the Athens Banner-Herald. They were acting on a tip that Hood, 33, was inside. But he wasn't.
The house is near the Athens Ben-Epps Airport, where police have been searching for Hood since Tuesday, when Athens Clarke-County policeman Elmer "Buddy" Christian, 34, was shot twice and killed while attempting to apprehend Hood. Another officer, Tony Howard, was shot twice, in the face and upper body, and is recovering from his wounds.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan told Channel 2 that a "credible" tipster reported seeing Hood at an Athens apartment complex Wednesday. Keenan said police believed the suspect was still within the city limits.
"We believe we are on the right track," he said.
Read background on the story here.
Staff writer Ty Tagami contributed to this article.
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