GBI investigating fatal shooting of 'suicidal man’ by Bibb sheriff's deputy
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- GBI is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Macon on Saturday night.
- Joshua Epps, 35, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after being shot by a deputy.
- The findings will be forwarded to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is probing a fatal shooting by a Bibb County sheriff’s officer Saturday night.
Joshua Epps, 35, of Macon, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after the shooting, according to a GBI news release. No officers were injured.
At 8:43 p.m., a Bibb County sheriff’s deputy arrived at a Bloomfield Drive home in Macon in response to a 911 call about a “suicidal man,” according to the release.
“When the deputy arrived at the home, they saw Epps standing outside holding a pair of scissors,” the release stated. “The deputy proceeded to give Epps verbal commands, but Epps did not comply.
“Epps then proceeded to walk at a fast pace toward the deputy. The deputy fired shots toward Epps, hitting him.”
An autopsy is expected at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office. Epps was pronounced at 9:49 p.m. in the Emergency Room at Atrium Health Navicent, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said.
Prior to sheriff’s deputies arriving, Epps allegedly attacked a 51-year-old man also living at the residence and cut him, according to a separate Bibb County Sheriff’s Office news release. The man was treated and released at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.
The independent GBI investigation was requested by the sheriff’s office. Once completed, the findings will be forwarded to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
The officer, whose name has not been released, is on administrative leave pending review of the incident. The sheriff’s office is also conducting its own internal affairs investigation.
“This is a tragic situation,” Sheriff David Davis told 13WMAZ. “You know, people find themselves at wit’s end about a lot of different things, and it’s tragic on the person who lost his life. It’s certainly a burden on the deputy.
“We don’t ever come to work with the intention of ever taking someone’s life, but when put in a position where there is a life in danger, the deputy has to do their job.”
The incident took place in the 5800 block of Bloomfield Drive not far from the intersection of Bloomfield Drive and Village Green Lane.
The national suicide prevention hotline has recently been changed to a three-digit suicide and crisis hotline. It is available 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 988. More information can be found at 988lifeline.org.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 11:04 AM.