GBI investigating officer-involved shooting in Milledgeville
The GBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Milledgeville early Wednesday.
Antonio Craig Martin, 50, of Atlanta, was airlifted to the Medical Center, Navicent Health, according to the GBI. He was listed in stable condition.
The incident began as a chase, with the man shot, later identified as Martin, suspected of burglarizing two places in Milledgeville, said Baldwin County Sheriff Sheriff Bill Massee.
The shooting happened about 4 a.m. in the Oconee Greenway Park in Milledgville, Massee said.
Here’s what happened, according to a subsequent news release issued by the GBI:
About 1:40 a.m., Jet Food Store No. 61 at 1740 N. Columbia Street in Milledgeville was robbed and a look out was posted for the vehicle used in the robbery.
At 4 a.m., a Milledgeville police officer recognized the vehicle at another Jet Food Store, No 29. at 301 East Hancock in Milledgeville. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle and a chase ensued.
The brief chase ended when the fleeing vehicle crashed in the woods at the park about a half mile from the store.
“The officer heard a loud noise and discharged his duty weapon, striking ... Martin,” the release said.
No other weapon was recovered by Wednesday afternoon.
The GBI is expected to release its findings on the officer-involved shooting for review by the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, according to the news release.
Before the shooting
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said that Martin was released from jail at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday after serving time in the county jail on a probation violation.
Between Martin’s release from jail and him being shot, he’s also suspected of burglarizing two Eatonton businesses: the 4th Quarter Package store and Schremmer Service Center, Sills said.
At the service center, Martin allegedly stole a battery, tires and the Chevrolet pickup truck he wrecked while fleeing from the Milledgeville police officer, according to Sills.
Martin has multiple prior burglary and other felony convictions and has served multiple stints in prison, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections website. He was last released from the Hancock State Prison on July 11, 2018.
This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 8:56 AM.