SAVANNAH — A homeless man from California was shot and killed by a Savannah Police Officer Saturday morning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate the incident.
According to the GBI, preliminary information indicates that at about 8:30 a.m., Savannah Police Department officers responded to a homeless camp located in an area near Fulton Road and Navajo Road. The officers were on scene following a request from land owners to remove a group of homeless people from private property.
As officers approached the location of the last known homeless person located in a tent, police say the homeless man exited the tent in an aggressive manner holding a razor knife and another sharp object.
Police say the man did not drop the weapons and obey officers’ orders. Two officers were able to retreat to a safe location. One officer was not able to retreat and was backed into an area, eventually firing his weapon at the man, who GBI officials say was charging toward him with the weapon.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. The investigation shows that he is from California.
No officers were injured in this incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Upon completion, it will be submitted to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office for review.
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