ATHENS — For the second time this month, Athens police officers have found themselves confronted with a knife-wielding suspect. In both incidents, the assailants have been shot by police.
On Oct. 14, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting.
According to the GBI, preliminary information indicates that at about 10:12 am, an Athens-Clarke County police officer responded to an unspecified 911 call from a female in the 100 block of Chalfont Drive in Athens.
The caller said a woman had a knife and a gun but did not specify a problem. Upon arrival, the officer was immediately met by a female, identified as 54-year-old Bonny Thomas, of Athens, who was armed with a large knife.
According to the GBI, Thomas came toward the officer with the knife raised. She also said she had a gun. The officer gave Thomas several verbal commands for Thomas to put the knife down, however, she began to run toward the officer. The officer fired one shot, striking Thomas. She later died from her injury.
An autopsy will be conducted at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur.
No officers were injured during the incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Earlier this month, Athens police shot a North Carolina man who police say attacked them with a machete.
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