GBI Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting in Athens

Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are looking into another officer-involved shooting; this time in Athens-Clarke County.

GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles tells WNEG News that on Monday, July 1, 2019, at approximately 12:45 PM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Athens Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) to investigate an officer involved shooting.

Miles said preliminary information indicates that 2 Athens-Clarke County Police officers responded to a scene after receiving a 911 call about a male causing a disturbance with a butcher knife at the River Club Apartments on Macon Highway, Athens, GA.

The suspect, identified 23-year old Aaron Hong, was using the knife in an aggressive manner and appeared to have also injured himself.

When police made contact, Miles said Hong immediately confronted them and began to walk towards officers with the knife in hand.

During the incident, Miles said officers provided numerous verbal commands for Hong to drop the knife.
Instead, Hong charged one of the officers with the knife and the officer fired his weapon multiple times, striking Hong.

Hong managed to get back up and during the confrontation and attempted to grab one of the officer’s weapons.

The second officer fired at Hong multiple times, striking him.  Nearby medics responded and Hong died at the scene.

One officer sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene. The GBI is continuing its independent investigation.  

When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Athens Clarke County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Miles said this is the 39th officer-involved shooting the GBI has investigated this year.