Friday, February 23, 2024–10:34 p.m.
-GBI News Release-
At the request of the Rome Police Department, GBI agents are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Rome, Georgia. Kelvin Gerard Jackson, age 34, of Augusta, GA, died in the incident. No officers were injured.
The preliminary information indicates on Friday, February 23, 2024, at about 11:10 a.m., Rome Police Department officers were dispatched to the 400 block of South Broad Street, Rome, Georgia in reference to an armed robbery in progress at the Hi-Tech convenience store. Surveillance footage shows that Jackson entered the store and forced the clerk to place money in a bag at gunpoint. A Rome Police Department officer entered the store and, shortly after, Jackson ran out of the main entrance and up McGhee Street. The responding officer ran after Jackson. During the encounter, Jackson was shot by the officer. A gun was found next to Jackson.
Jackson’s body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur, GA, for an autopsy.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Floyd County District Attorney’s Office for review.
From Rome Police:
On Friday, February 23, 2024, at approximately 11:11 am, Rome Police Department officers were dispatched to 401 South Broad Street, Rome, Georgia in reference to an armed robbery call.
The suspect in the armed robbery fled from the location of the armed robbery and began running up a nearby street. A Rome Police Department officer was in pursuit on foot and after being confronted by the suspect, discharged his weapon, striking the subject. The suspect is now deceased.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is on-site and is working the crime scene. As standard procedure, the officer involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation by the GBI. As the lead investigating agency, all media requests regarding the investigation should be directed to GBI Public and Governmental Affairs.
“The Rome Police Department understands the value of every human life and will work diligently to maintain transparency throughout this investigation,” stated Rome Police Department Chief Denise Downer-McKinney.
