SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
A high speed pursuit involving the Griffin Police Department and a vehicle that matched the description of one used in a May 17 drive-by shooting ended in Butts County.
At approximately 2:26 a.m., Uniform Patrol Division Officer Matt Kerlin was on patrol in the vicinity of Blanton Avenue and Haskell Ward Drive when he heard numerous gunshots in rapid succession near Jefferson Street.
Kerlin drive toward the location of the gunfire and observed a black 2012 Toyota Camry turning south onto N. 3rd Street from Jefferson Street.
The vehicle was driving slowly in the middle of the roadway, which Kerlin found suspicious, authorities said.
Kerlin noted the vehicle matched the description of one allegedly involved in several drive-by shootings in the general area, including the Tuesday morning incident at 220 N. 5th St.
Recognizing the high-risk nature of the situation, Kerlin advised other police units that he was behind the suspect vehicle. Additional units joined Kerlin as he activated his blue lights to conduct a traffic stop near 6th and Chappell streets.
Officials say that rather than stopping, the suspect vehicle accelerated and fled to SR16, traveling east at speeds reaching 85 to 100 miles per hour.
As the pursuit traveled towards Butts County, Officer Daniel and Officer Manolis of the C.A.G.E. Unit deployed stop sticks, deflating the suspect vehicle’s tires and bringing the vehicle to a stop.
A felony traffic stop and search of the vehicle was conducted leading to the discovery of a loaded AK-47 magazine in the vehicle and two handguns, a 9mm and 10mm, in proximity to the vehicle.
During the pursuit, the GPD received two calls reporting shots fired, one on Jefferson Street and a second at 1st and Solomon streets.
Upon arrival at both locations reporting shots fired, officers located ammunition – live rounds – and shell casings that matched the brand and caliber of the weapons seized in the traffic stop, officials said.
The live rounds, shell casings and weapons will have ballistic testing to determine if the rounds fired were related those found during the traffic stop.
This case is active, and authorities say additional information may be released later.
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