Officer-Involved Shooting in Banks Co.

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues to look into a shooting in Banks Crossing Friday involving two Banks County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

According to Banks County Sheriff’s OFfice Spokesperson Sergeant Carissa McFaddin, two deputies approached a man wanted in several counties on drug charges at about 1:30 p.m. Friday on Banks Drive in Commerce near Interstate 85.

Authorities said as the officers approached, the suspect, identified as 39-year old Malcody Dinges, pulled a gun and fired at the officers multiple times.

McFaddin said deputies returned fire, hitting Dinges twice.

Dinges was airlifted to Athens Regional Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

The deputies were not injured.

According to McFaddin, Dinges was wanted on a parole violation.

He was also under an active investigation by members of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, or ARDEO, for the alleged distribution of methamphetamine.

ARDEO is a multi-county drug task force consisting of officers from the White, Lumpkin, Towns, Banks, Habersham, Stephens, and Rabun County Sheriff’s Offices, the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed said the investigation is continuing with the assistance of the GBI Athens office.