Incident Overview
During a traffic stop in , on Saturday evening, two deputies were shot, resulting in one fatality and the other in critical condition. The suspect, James Blake Montgomery, was reported to be at large.
Montgomery was believed to be holed up in a camper near Mile Marker 194 off , prompting an extensive manhunt involving helicopters and drones.
Response and Reactions
Georgia Governor expressed his condolences and prayers for the fallen deputy's family and the injured deputy's recovery, highlighting the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers.
Local and state officials, including Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, shared their grief and support for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and the affected families.