Police pursuit turns deadly in Columbia County
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – The Columbia County Sheriff's Office has confirmed one person has died after a police pursuit that took place Monday afternoon.
According to police, 41-year-old Shawn E. Threatt of Milledgeville was operating a Chevrolet Malibu in a chase that began shortly after 4 p.m. on Feb. 17. It started at Appling Harlem Road and West Forrest Street before going through North Fairview Drive and south on Sawdust Road. Threatt allegedly had 'several active felony warrants through Columbia County, Grovetown, Waynesboro, and the Georgia Department of Parole. '
CCSO Deputy O. Gutierrez was reportedly approaching the pursuit from the direction in which it was heading, and was struck by the fleeing vehicle. He received minor injuries from the accident and was taken to the hospital by CCSO personnel to be evaluated.
Threatt was transported to Doctor's Hospital by Gold Cross and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Fox News
Police close in on possible location where fugitive dad could be hiding after alleged triple murder
The manhunt for the missing Washington father accused of killing his three daughters has authorities closing in on an area where he is believed to be hiding. Law enforcement began zeroing in on the Ingalls Creek and Valley High areas late Monday night in the search for Travis Decker, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO). "Law enforcement is searching for suspect Travis Decker in the area of Ingalls Creek and Valley High as he is believed to potentially be in this area," the sheriff's office posted. "Please secure your homes and vehicles, stay alert, and report any suspicious activity to 911." The area is located approximately 30 miles from Rock Island Campground, where the bodies of Decker's three daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—were discovered three days after they did not return to their mother following a court-approved visit with Decker. The new lead comes after the CCSO handed the search for Decker over to federal authorities on Sunday night, with the department remaining in command of the criminal investigation. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson also deployed the state's national guard to aid law enforcement by providing helicopter transportation as officials continue to comb through the state's dense wooded areas. "We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "Our command staff continues to be engaged with the search command while we give our teams time off to rest and recuperate and be ready to rejoin the search for, and capture of, the suspect." On Monday, officials discovered a "large amount of evidence" from the father's abandoned GMC pickup truck, including blood samples tracing back to Decker and various personal items, according to the sheriff's department. Decker's dog was also found with the vehicle and subsequently placed in the care of the local humane society. The announcement regarding the evidence came on the same day the CCSO coroner's office confirmed the three girls' cause of death was suffocation, ultimately ruling the case a homicide. Prosecutors formally charged Decker with aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping last week. Authorities allege Decker, an experienced survivalist and former member of the U.S. military, killed his three daughters before disappearing into the wilderness. The girls were found with plastic bags over their heads and bound wrists at a local campground last week. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Decker's ex-wife, Whitney Decker, 35, told police Decker suffers from mental health issues – including borderline personality disorder – but had always returned the couple's children on time following a visit, according to a CCSO affidavit. Decker is described as standing approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 190 pounds. Authorities are unsure if Decker is armed, but insist he is considered dangerous. If convicted, Decker could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Police Release New Images of Travis Decker, Dad Accused of Killing His 3 Daughters, as He Remains on the Run
Police have released new images of Travis Decker, the 32-year-old Washington man accused of killing his three young daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were last seen during "planned visitation" with their father on May 30, before their bodies were discovered days later The new images of Decker, shared by the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), give the public a closer look at his tattoos and clothing around the time of his disappearanceAuthorities in Washington are continuing their search for Travis Decker, the man accused of murdering his three young daughters, and have released new images as they ask for the public's assistance as he remains on the run. On Saturday, June 7, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) released a wanted poster on Facebook that features multiple new photos, and a few previously released images, of the murder suspect, including some that highlight his tattoos and wardrobe. In the photos, Decker — who has been charged with one count of kidnapping and three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 — can be seen with his hair pulled back and tattoos on his arm and ankles. The poster states that Decker, 32, was last seen wearing a tan or green T-shirt, which he was previously photographed in, with dark shorts. He is 5'8 with black hair and brown eyes, and the CCSO described him as "dangerous" and said he "may be armed." In the office's June 7 update, the CCSO wrote that hundreds of law enforcement personnel are searching "dozens of structures and the forests" in the area. "We continue these search efforts, acting upon gathered information and tips from the public, and leads developed through even more search warrants," the organization's statement continued, adding that a local road was reopened after authorities found "no credible threat." "However, we ask the public remain vigilant as they venture back out to the recreation areas of Chelan County. We have notified the USFS that they can reopen the recreation areas as well," the CCSO said. Authorities are encouraging locals to check their doorbell cameras, to contact authorities if they see something helpful to the search and to "not attempt or contact or approach" Decker if they see the suspect. Per a U.S. Marshals Service affidavit obtained by Fox 13 Seattle, the Independent and NBC Right Now, authorities said they were worried that Decker was attempting to flee the United States after allegedly looking up phrases including "how to relocate to Canada" and "how does a person move to Canada" on May 26. He also reportedly searched for information tied to a Canadian job site, the outlets said, citing the affidavit. Decker's daughters were last seen during "planned visitation" with their father on May 30. The Wenatchee Police Department (WPD) then issued an endangered missing persons alert the next day. On June 2, authorities canceled the alert and revealed they had discovered the three girls' remains. Fox 13 Seattle reported that Decker's pickup truck was found near the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Wash., where the bodies were located. A preliminary report seen by the outlet lists their believed cause of death as "asphyxiation." Fox 13 also reported that investigators found a blanket, a wallet, food and car seats for the girls inside Decker's vehicle, which had two bloody handprints on it. The suspect "drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping," court documents obtained by the outlet said. Police are now offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Decker's arrest, according to ABC News. Arianna Cozart, an attorney who represents the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, told PEOPLE on June 6 that "everybody cares that Travis is found for peace of mind if nothing else." Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Decker to call 911 immediately, or call the CCSO at 509-667-6845. A form can also be submitted to a tip line. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Local bikers looking for answers from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office after one of their own was severely injured in a hit-and-run
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Family and friends say they want justice for 27-year-old Morgan Gray. Gray was injured in a hit-and-run on her motorcycle on May 28th. She's in critical condition here at Doctors Hospital. And her loved ones say someone needs to be held accountable. The accident occurred just before 9 pm at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Frontage Road. Since this incident, bikers have been coming and forming a prayer circle in front of her window at the Hospital. 'We're Morgan Strong all day,' said Dalton Taylor, a Friend of Morgan. 'This little girl shouldn't be going through this all because of a hit and run. So, it's just pretty much just trying to get peace, get justice.' Summer Ivey, Morgan's cousin, has been working to obtain information from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office about the investigation but told me she feels she is getting the bare minimum from them. 'We've asked for updates. We've called, no reply,' said Summer Ivey, Morgans's Cousin. 'We've posted on social media. We've been loud. We've been doing prayer circles, just trying to be there for her. Her son needs her; her family needs her. Her friends, obviously, and we're just steadily going to fight.' The Sheriff's Office located the vehicle and its owner. The vehicle was a company vehicle. They are collecting evidence about the driver but are unable to say anything at this time. 'We have our suspicions, but there's a protocol that we follow,' said Major Robbie Silas, Special Operations Richmond County Sheriff's Office. 'I have a great team that is working tirelessly, you know, around the clock, trying to find the driver of this vehicle. Again, like I said, we are collecting evidence. The vehicle has been processed, and once we get all that, and we'll run that to the DA's office and let them see all the stuff that we have, and then we'll make those charges.' While they continue to seek answers about what happened and who is responsible, they have this solution to keep drivers on both four- and two-wheels safe. 'Regardless of what the situation is. We're on two wheels. Pay attention,' said Taylor. They have a GoFundMe for Morgan Grey. They are also hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, June 21st, at Street & Trail Motorsports from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
