COLQUITT COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) - Authorities are providing an update about a fatal officer-involved shooting in Colquitt County.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Nick Warnell died of a gunshot wound. He got into a shootout with officers after leading Colquitt County deputies on a chase just outside of Berlin, Ga.
Investigators say two Law Enforcement Officers were determined to have fired their weapons during the gunfire exchange with Warnell.
They have been identified as Deputy Chris Thomas with the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Daniel Lindsay with the Moultrie Police Department.
All weapons fired will be submitted to the GBI Crime Lab for testing to determine which weapons fired which rounds during the incidents involving Warnell.
The case is active and ongoing. Agents say they are continuing to conduct interviews and review evidence.
GBI investigating deputy involved shooting, suspect's death
COLQUITT, Ga. (WTXL) - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into the deputy involved shooting in Colquitt County Thursday night
On Thursday at about 9:45 p.m., the GBI was requested to conduct an investigation of an officer involved shooting and subsequent death that took place just outside of Berlin, Ga.
GBI says that preliminary information shows that officers with the Georgia Department of Community Supervision requested help from the Colquitt County Sheriff's Office and members of the Moultrie Police Department to help contact several probationers off of Bob Hiers Road in a small mobile home community.
While in the area, a car described as a grayish/silver in color Chevrolet Tahoe, later determined to be driven by Nick Warnell, arrived to the area.
GBI states agents and officers then tried to make contact with Warnell, but he was uncooperative and drove away.
An agent and officer followed Warnell in separate cars down to the intersection of Hall and Hempstead Church Road, where a traffic stop was initiated.
While trying to talk to Warnell, he became uncooperative and combatant. A taser was used but was not effective in stopping Warnell's resistance.
Warnell was then able to put his car in reverse and drag the officer down the road a considerable distance. GBI said the officer was able to get free from the door and was believed to be run over in the process.
Warnell pulled out a rifle and the agent began firing his weapon at Warnell's car. According to GBI, Warnell continued to retreat from the officers', before he stopped, got out of the car, and began shooting at the officers with the rifle.
None of the officers were hit, but their vehicles were both hit as they hid for cover from the gunfire. Officers' radioed for backup and a responding Colquitt County deputy passed Warnell a few miles from the original incident location.
The deputy turned around after allowing some distance between the cars, before Warnell pulled off to the opposite side of the road and stopped. He began shooting at the deputy's car, hitting it in the windshield, roof, hood, and other areas.
After the deputy returned fire, Warnell drove away and his car disappeared.
Additional law enforcement backup responded from Brooks, Cook, and other law enforcement agencies.
Members of the Lowndes County SWAT Team arrived in an armored vehicle and found Warnell's car, which crashed into a wooded area after a search by law enforcement.
When SWAT Team members approached Warnell's car, they found him dead inside.
A search of Warnell's car found numerous weapons and extra loaded magazines and loose ammunition. A rifle and pistol were also found in his car with him.
GBI says an autopsy was scheduled at the GBI crime lab for Friday.
Agents continue to conduct interviews with witnesses, process vehicles, and collect evidence for testing regarding this case.
GBI states this investigation covered a large area with multiple scenes that had to be processed and evidence that had to be collected.
Agents and deputies are in the area continuing to identify and interview witnesses and collect evidence.
The case is active and ongoing and anyone with information is asked call GBI Thomasville at 229-225-4090 or CCSO at 229-616-7466.
GBI says it is the intent to release the names of the officers and deputies who fired their weapons as soon as that information is available.
UPDATE: 11:48pm: According to the Colquitt County Sheriff's Office, the person they were looking for, Nick Warnell, has been apprehended.
CCSO says they are not looking for any other suspects at this time and they have no reason to believe any further threat exists in the area.
However, they do say law enforcement will remain in the area for the time being.
They have not given an update on the officer's condition.
Check back with www.wtxl.tv for updates.
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COLQUITT CO., GA (WALB/WTXL) 10:00pm - A ten mile radius in the Berlin area has been blocked off by law enforcement in Colquitt County after a deputy was shot.
Investigators said that one deputy has been shot and another was hit by a vehicle Thursday evening.
An investigator said there is a large 10 mile area being blocked off in the Berlin area as law enforcement investigates.
There has been no word on either identity of the deputies or the severity of their injuries.
The Colquitt County Sheriff's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for any information on the suspect in the shooting, Nick Warnell, who is armed and dangerous.
CCSO says in a Facebook post, any one in the area between Berlin and Ellenton in the Cannon and Tillman Road areas are to make sure their doors and windows are secure and report any suspicious activity to 911 immediately.
This is a developing story and we will update it as details come in.
