Georgia Bureau of Investigations agents is investigating an early Saturday morning officer-involved shooting after a man was shot by a Columbus officer.

Columbus Police Department officers responded to a domestic dispute at Circle K at 4420 2nd Avenue, Columbus, GA, at approximately 1:43 a.m., on October 8, 2022. “When officers arrived, they were told the man involved, later identified as Jonathan Powell, age 45, of Columbus, GA, had left the location walking toward 3rd Avenue,” a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said.

Powell had slashed the tires of a vehicle in the parking lot of Circle K with a knife and had also assaulted a woman at Circle K with a carjack, causing minor injuries.  

While searching the area for Powell, officers found him in the 4200 blocks of 3rd Avenue. When officers approached Powell, he was holding a knife and ratchet strap. Officers gave verbal commands to Powell to drop the knife and rachet strap, but he did not. An officer used less lethal pepper ball munitions to gain compliance from Powell but was ineffective. Powell then threw the ratchet strap at one of the officers and made threatening statements.

He then walked inside his house at 4239 3rd Avenue. A short time later, Powell walked to the front doorway of the house and drew and pointed a compound bow at the officers. At this time, one of the officers shot Powell. Powell was taken by EMS to Piedmont-Midtown Hospital in Columbus for treatment.

“The GBI will conduct an independent investigation,” the release added. “Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be turned over to the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office for review.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation may contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Columbus Field Office at (706) 565-7888. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1(800) 597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.