OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TOWALIGA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT STATE OF GEORGIA Jonathan L. Adams District Atiomey Assistant District Attomeys: Cynthia T. Adams, Deputy Chiet James L. Moss « Paul E. Hemmann Sr. ‘Anita R. Howard Leslie A, Tilson» Gregory A. Futch Carolee R. Jordan + Chris E. Miranda Elizabeth K. Bobbitt ‘Chief Assistant District Attomey November 9, 2018 Dear Sheriff Al Shackelford, Per the request of the Sheriff's office, I am prepared to issue preliminary findings regarding the incident which occurred on 10-29-2018 involving Monroe County Sheriff's Deputies Haskins, Justice, Ortiz and Wilson. As set forth in this letter these are preliminary findings and subject to change after [ have reviewed the completed GBI investigation. After reviewing the 911 call, the incident report form MCSO, the recorded statements from each deputy, visiting the scene of the shooting twice with a briefing of the scene, viewing the photograph of the pellet gun recovered from the person of the deceased, 3 meetings with various agents from the GBI, a briefing from an ADA who attended the autopsy and a review of Georgia law as to the facts, it appears that the use of force by Monroe County Deputies in this incident was justified and the officers acted within the scope of their duties and in response to the reasonable belief that a firearm was being used in a deadly manner towards the deputies. ‘The completed case file will not be available for a number of months as it will need to be typed, and various forensic reports will also need to be completed and sent to be included. I have already discussed verbally all the pertinent facts of interviews of the officers and any other witness interviewed and know the result of the autopsy. 1 do not anticipate filing any criminal charges against the 4 deputies listed above nor do I plan to present this case to a grand jury. I will not make a final finding of course until I receive the formal copy of the GBI report but I do not believe that there will be any additional facts available that would change the preliminary decision. Sincerely, a a fy ho PAA 7 Eli eth Bobbitt Interim District Attorney Towaliga Judicial Circuit BUTTS COUNTY +625 W. Thed Steet. Suite & Jackson, Georgia 30233 + 770.504.2407 LAMAR COUNTY = 328 Thomaston Steat Barnesvile, Georgia $0204 » 770-388-5152 MONROE COUNTY + 134 Marin Luter King J. Drive, Suite B Foray, Georgia 31029 - 478-994-7652