The bullet wounds sustained by a suspect in an officer-involved shooting may have been self-inflicted, the GBI said Monday.
James Corey Heard, 36, was identified as the suspect involved in the chase and shooting Friday afternoon. The incident began when an officer recognized Heard as a wanted person in Buford. The chase crossed county lines, ending in a Hall County area of Braselton.
When Gwinnett County Ofc. Jason Robertson attempted to pull Heard over, Heard put a gun through his open window and began shooting, police said. Heard was stopped when Robertson executed a “precision immobilization technique,” a law enforcement tactic that forces a car to sharply turn and stop, near Friendship Road and Ga. 211. Heard then pointed his gun at Robertson, and Robertson fired multiple shots, the GBI said.
The GBI, which was called in to investigate the incident, said evidence indicated that bullet wounds to Heard’s hand and lower jaw may have been self-inflicted. Heard is recovering at Gwinnett Medical Center.
Heard will be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The GBI’s investigation is ongoing.
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