72-year-old man shot, killed by officer after threatening deputies: GBI

A man was shot and killed by a police officer in Georgia after authorities say he walked out of his home holding a gun and threatening deputies.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting, which happened Monday afternoon in Thomson.

According to the GBI, Alton Hamilton, 72, of Thomson, called McDuffie County 911 just after 3:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and made threats of violence toward law enforcement.

About 20 minutes later, Thomson police officers and McDuffie County sheriff’s deputies located Hamilton at his home in the 1000 block of Kennedy Circle.

Authorities set up a perimeter around the home while waiting for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team to assist with Hamilton’s arrest.

Around 4:20 p.m., authorities said Hamilton walked out of the home toward deputies while holding a gun in the air and threatening them.

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A Thomson police officer fired several shots, hitting Hamilton, according to the GBI.

Officers and deputies immediately provided medical assistance before Hamilton was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

No officers or deputies were injured.

The GBI is conducting an independent investigation. Once complete, the case will be turned over to the Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI’s Thomson Regional Investigative Office at 706-595-2575.

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