STAFF REPORT :::
An officer involved shooting that took place in Griffin early Saturday is under investigation by the GBI.
The initial report advised officers of the Clayton County Police Department (CCPD) to be on the lookout for a tan Lincoln Town Car being driven by an allegedly intoxicated driver that had left the area of Taps Bar and Grill in Jonesboro.
Soon after that alert was given, a CCPD officer spotted a vehicle matching that description travelling southbound on Tara Boulevard and conducted a traffic stop.
At that time, the driver was identified as 29-year-old Stephen Neil Weigand, of Griffin.
Authorities say that while the CCPD officer was conducting the traffic stop with Weigand, dispatch notified officers that numerous other callers were reporting they were the victims of a hit and run from Taps Bar and Grill involving a vehicle matching the description of Weigand’s car.
A short time later, a CCPD officer attempted to place Weigand in handcuffs. Officials say the officer was able to place one cuff on Weigand’s right wrist, but the suspect then allegedly jerked away from the officer, hitting the officer in the face with the handcuffs and shoving them before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
Two officers of the Lovejoy Police Department responded as backup and began pursuing Weigand, who was travelling southbound on Tara Boulevard.
The pursuit continued south into Spalding County where Weigand attempted to turn off U.S Highway 19-41 onto Birdie Road, but two officers blocked his turn, forcing the suspect to stop.
Authorities say Weigand exited his vehicle from the driver side and pointed a handgun at officers.
The two Lovejoy officers fired their weapons striking Weigand multiple times.
Weigand was pronounced dead at the scene.
No officers were injured in the incident.
At approximately 2:45 a.m., the Lovejoy Police Department requested the GBI investigate the officer involved shooting. Once the investigation has been completed, it will be turned over to the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident may contact the GBI Region 2 Field Office at 706.565.7888, by calling 800.597.TIPS, online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something app.
This is the 37th officer involved shooting the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2021.
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