Just moments before a Troup County deputy had arrived to a home to do a welfare check, his accused shooter
– also the homeowner – drove up in his truck with his mom inside and began firing shots.
In dashcam footage obtained by Channel 2 Action News, Deputy Michael Hockett begged Matthew Edmonson not to shoot before retreating to his car. On Monday, Edmonson allegedly shot Hockett as he was checking in on him at the request of his father, who said his son was having an psychotic episode.
Edmonson faces attempted murder, aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime and false imprisonment in the incident.
In the video, Edmonson charged toward Hockett and fired several shots, before the deputy went to his patrol car and called for backup. Edmonson was still seen on the camera shooting.
Hockett managed to fire a shot at Edmonson, which landed in his shoulder, before the alleged shooter went inside his home with his mother.
In 911 calls obtained by Channel 2 , Matthew Edmonson’s mom is heard telling police: “I need an ambulance, please hurry. My son has been shot.”
“There was a deputy here we had just came in,” she said, “and I don't know if the deputy was shot or not. I don't know what's going on but I'm scared to death."
Local and state officials, including the GBI, arrived to the scene and were involved in a six-hour standoff with Edmonson before he came out of his home without incident.
Hockett was taken to a local hospital and released. Troup County officials said he is on standard administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Edmonson was still at a local hospital, Troup County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Stewart Smith told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In an interview with Channel 2, Hockett said he was thankful to be alive.
“I'm thankful that the Lord (saw) me through it,” he said. “I've replayed it in my head, and I know in my heart that I did everything I could to do the best I could with the situation I'd been placed in.”
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