Deputy killed, another injured during traffic stop in Georgia
_Georgia's Shocking Night:
In Columbia County, Georgia, a heart-wrenching night unfolded as two law enforcement officers became victims of a tragic shooting incident during a routine traffic stop.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office confirmed the death of one deputy around 6:30 p.m., with the other officer rushed to a hospital, as per local news reports.
The suspect behind the shooting was identified as James Blake Montgomery. According to authorities, Montgomery was believed to be hiding in a camper parked near Mile Marker 194 off Belair Road.
In an attempt to capture Montgomery, helicopters and drones were deployed.
Governor Brian Kemp took to Twitter to express his condolences over the incident. He said, "We're praying for the loved ones and colleagues of the Columbia County sheriff's deputy that made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as his fellow officer who was injured tonight while protecting our fellow Georgians."
Background Info:James Blake Montgomery, a 38-year-old man, is the main suspect in the shooting. This incident occurred on April 27, 2025, during a traffic stop on Interstate 20, near the Belair Road exit. The traffic stop was part of an effort to serve Montgomery with a temporary restraining order, filed by his wife as part of their ongoing divorce proceedings.
Montgomery, previously convicted for aggravated assault in 2022, fled the scene after the shooting. Authorities launched a manhunt using helicopters and drones to locate him. As of Saturday evening, it was reported that Montgomery was no longer a threat, although the exact details of his status were unclear.
The Enrichment:* Montgomery had a prior conviction in 2022 for aggravated assault, which resulted in him receiving First Offender status. The earlier incident occurred at a McDonald's in Evans and involved a physical altercation with another individual.* As of the latest available information, Montgomery was no longer considered an active threat, suggesting he may have been apprehended or otherwise neutralized, although his precise status remains unconfirmed in the reports.
- Governor Brian Kemp tweeted his condolences for the death of a deputy in the shooting incident involving James Blake Montgomery, a Georgia man with a prior conviction for aggravated assault.
- In the General-News and Crime-and-Justice sectors, the ongoing manhunt for Montgomery, the suspect in the shooting of two law enforcement officers in Columbia County, has seen authorities utilising helicopters and drones in an effort to enforce the temporary restraining order filed against him.
- Weighing the gravity of the situation, the public and law enforcement officials are carefully balancing the need for enforcement with ensuring public safety, following the tragic shooting incident involving James Blake Montgomery.
