LAGRANGE, Ga. — LaGrange Police said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is now involved after an officer shot a man with a machete "multiple times" when a Taser failed to subdue him.
According to a statement from police, a city employee called 911 to report a suspicious man walking around with a machete near Karvelas Pizza restaurant just after 5:15 in the morning.
The man identified himself to an officer, who discovered the 39-year-old was wanted on three warrants for meth possession, cruelty to children, obstruction, battery, and possession of drug-related items.
Police say the officer followed the machete-wielding man in his patrol car near Hill Street before trying to approach him for a second time, but the man ran and the officer followed him near Greenville Street.
The man, who was still holding the machete, reportedly refused to drop the weapon when police asked. Authorities say that's when the officer confronted the man and deployed his Taser, but it was "ineffective." The officer then fired his gun "multiple times."
Officials say first responders gave the man medical aid at the scene before he as taken over to Piedmont Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. At this time, there is no update on his condition. No officers were hurt during the incident, police say. There is also no word on whether the man is facing any charges.
LaGrange Police has requested the GBI to independently look into the case, which is standard for shooting cases involving law enforcement. A spokesperson with the GBI said they're still reviewing information and working to gather additional details in the case.