By Joe Johnson
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Thursday charged a former Oglethorpe County deputy with aggravated assault for a shooting incident that occurred three days earlier in Athens, according to a GBI media release.
Michael Norton Davis, 35, of Colbert was charged with two counts of aggravated assault for shooting at a car that was occupied by two people that the deputy was pursuing, according to the GBI.
According to the GBI, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department on Monday requested the GBI to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred that day.
The investigation indicated that Davis attempted to stop a car operated by 27-year-old Athens resident Patrouski Hodges for speeding on U.S. Hwy 78 in Oglethorpe County. Hodges pulled his car to the side of the highway after crossing into Athens-Clarke County, where the GBI said Davis used his patrol car to strike the other vehicle.
After Davis exited the patrol car, the GBI said, he gave verbal commands to Hodges, who proceeded to drive away.
“Deputy Davis fired three shots at the car, striking the car twice,” the GBI said. “Afterwards, there was a pursuit that ended at Greyfriars Road in Athens-Clarke County. No one was shot, and no one was injured.”
Hodges was taken to the Oglethorpe County Jail for charges made by the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office for traffic related violations, and a passenger in Hodges’ car was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, the GBI said.
It was unclear if Davis was fired or resigned prior to or after being charged by the GBI. He surrendered himself at the Oglethorpe County Jail.