By Joe Johnson
Athens-Clarke County police Wednesday morning released body camera footage of an officer shooting a man when the man swung a machete at him.
On the afternoon of Oct, 5, police said officers responded to University Garden Apartments to investigate a report of domestic violence,
Video from a body camera that Officer Roger Williams was wearing showed that as Williams searched the complex for a suspect in the domestic violence incident, he rounded a corner and was confronted by 28-year-old Salvador Salazar who appeared to be trying to hide.
"Hey man, what are you doing," Williams asked and then said, "Go ahead and get your hands out of your pockets for me."
After Salazar ignored the officer's command several times while walking towards the officer, Williams drew his gun and pointed it at Salazar, who turned to walk away while ignoring the officer's several orders to stop.
As Williams followed and closed the gap between him and the suspect, Salazar suddenly turned and swung a machete at Williams, who responded by shooting the man three times.
Salazar, 28, of North Carolina was hospitalized in serious condition and was subsequently charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with aggravated assault on a peace officer.
It was the fourth officer-involved shooting this year in Athens.
A fifth shooting happened Monday morning when police said a 54-year-old Bonny Thomas was fatally shot by Senior Police Officer Lamar Glenn on Chalfont Drive as she advanced toward Glenn with a knife raised in a threatening manner.
Williams and Glenn were both placed on paid administrative leave, pending a the outcome of GBI investigations, which will be presented to the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Office for review.