Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Officer involved in fight with another deputy resigns

Both were responding to a fatal shooting when they started brawling

What to do when you're stopped by police
By Tim Darnell
Feb 17, 2020

A Richmond County deputy accused of brawling with another deputy while they were responding to a fatal shooting has resigned.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office told WRDW that Nicholas Nunes has submitted his resignation, effective immediately.

Nunes, Deputy Brandon Keathley and a deputy trainee were responding to the fatal shooting of DeAngelo Burns, 17, on Feb. 7. Deputies reportedly found Burns at a Circle K in Augusta after he reportedly was shot in another incident. They attempted to perform life-saving first aid.

Sheriff Richard Roundtree said Keathley and Nunes got into an altercation, with Keathley reportedly striking Nunes in the back of his head with a flashlight.

Roundtree said the incident boiled down to a “heat of the moment” response.

Nunes was given a written reprimand about the incident, and Keathley was suspended for 30 days.

»MORE: Police searching for 15-year-old accused of murder

Meanwhile, Richmond County deputies are searching for Burns' alleged killer, Jaquavious "Chunky" Taylor, 15, who is considered armed and dangerous.

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