On June 14, 2024, an officer-involved shooting in Milton, Georgia, led to the death of Shantidra Harris, a 31-year-old woman from Atlanta. The incident also resulted in injuries to a police officer. This incident is currently under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) at the request of the Milton Police Department.
The sequence of events began around 12:15 p.m. when Milton Police Department received a report of a shoplifting incident at Kohl’s on Highway 9. Responding officers identified a red Dodge Journey as being involved in the theft.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver did not comply and instead drove to a nearby Walmart on Windward Parkway. Upon arriving at the Walmart parking lot, the vehicle stopped, and its occupants attempted to flee.
The driver of the Dodge Journey, a woman, was apprehended by the police. Meanwhile, a man who was also in the vehicle managed to escape and evade capture. Shantidra Harris, another woman involved in the incident, escalated the situation by carjacking a white Toyota Corolla in a desperate attempt to flee the scene. During her attempted escape, Harris rapidly accelerated the car with an officer directly in her path. The officer, struck by the vehicle, discharged his firearm, hitting Harris.
Emergency services were promptly summoned, and Harris was transported to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead. The officer who was injured in the incident received medical treatment and has since been released from the hospital.
In accordance with standard procedures following an officer-involved shooting, the GBI is conducting an independent investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident. The results of this investigation will be submitted to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for further review and determination of any necessary actions.
This incident highlights the potentially volatile nature of law enforcement responses to criminal activities, particularly when suspects resort to desperate measures to evade arrest. It also underscores the critical importance of thorough and independent investigations to ensure transparency and accountability in police actions. The GBI’s involvement is aimed at providing an unbiased assessment of the events to maintain public trust in the investigative process.
The outcome of this investigation will be closely monitored, as it may have implications for the policies and practices of law enforcement agencies in handling similar situations in the future. Meanwhile, the community and the families involved are left grappling with the tragic outcome of the day's events.
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