Athens-Clarke County Police have released the body camera video of the February 18 officer-involved shooting of Timothy Statham: the 37 year-old man from Winterville was killed by police after they say he threatened them with what they believed to be a gun. Statham was shot after a police chase that began when he was reported to be driving a truck stolen from Jackson County. The deadly shooting happened in woods off Newton Bridge Road in Athens. The GBI investigation is ongoing.

From the ACCPD…

February 26, 2021 The purpose of this update is to release body worn camera footage from the officer involved shooting that took place on February 18, 2021.

The footage can be found at the following link: https://vimeo.com/517308526/9f413f2039

Officer Involved Shooting – UPDATE

February 19, 2021 The purpose of this update is to release the identity of the deceased and to provide the names of the officers involved in yesterday’s officer involved shooting. At the time of this incident, the deceased was operating a stolen 2006 Nissan Titan and had felony arrest warrants out of Jackson County and Barrow County. The deceased has been identified as Timothy Statham, 37, of Winterville, GA. During this incident, one ACCPD officer, Senior Police Officer Jamie Jones, discharged a less-lethal 40mm sponge round. Three ACCPD officers discharged firearms. These officers are: Sergeant Tim Johnson, Officer First Class Dustin Tilley, and Officer Jerold Rogers.

February 18, 2021 On February 18, 2021, at approximately 9:17AM, officers with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle that had been confirmed stolen out of Jackson County. As officers followed the vehicle, it left the roadway in the area of Newton Bridge Road and Fritz Mar Lane and a single male occupant fled into the woods. Officers established a perimeter around the man and attempted negotiating with him to surrender for an extended period of time. At one point the man advanced toward officers in a threatening manner, with his hand concealed under his shirt and made references to having a gun. Officers used less lethal munitions in an attempt to stop the advancing threat. The less lethal munitions did not have the desired effect and the individual continued advancing toward officers in a threatening manner, indicating that he had a firearm. In response, several ACCPD officers discharged firearms, striking the man. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. The identity of the decedent is known but is not being released pending notification of the next of kin. No officers were injured as a result of this incident. In accordance with ACCPD policy, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations was requested to handle the investigation. Also consistent with this policy, the involved officers have been placed on administrative assignment pending a preliminary review of the incident.

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