UPDATE: Suspect in fatal shooting of Warm Springs officer dies by self-inflicted gunshot wound
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has released new details surrounding the fatal shooting of Warm Springs Police Sgt. Chris Fisher, who was killed late Tuesday night during what investigators describe as an apparent targeted attack.
Image: Google Earth
According to preliminary information released by the GBI, the shooting happened at approximately 11:57 p.m. on September 1, 2026, at the Meriwether Country Inn, located at 5675 Spring Street in Warm Springs.
Investigators say Fisher had just completed an unrelated traffic stop and was sitting in his patrol vehicle in the motel parking lot when a black 2026 Chevrolet Silverado pulled alongside his patrol car.
The driver, identified by the GBI as 23-year-old Jimmy Lee Steverson of Warm Springs, allegedly fired multiple shots into Fisher’s patrol vehicle, striking the officer.
Steverson then fled the parking lot, according to investigators.
Fisher was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body was transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy will be performed.
Suspect located in South Carolina
The statewide manhunt for Steverson came to an end Wednesday morning after authorities located him in Anderson, South Carolina.
Image: South Carolina Dept. of Transportation
According to the GBI, at approximately 11:39 a.m. September 2, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in Anderson. Steverson was a passenger in the vehicle.
When deputies made contact with the occupants, they discovered Steverson suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but later died.
Fisher had arrested Steverson days earlier
The deadly shooting comes just days after Fisher arrested and transported Steverson to the Meriwether County Jail.
Image: Georgia Gazette
According to booking records previously reported by 11Alive reporter Cody Alcorn, Steverson was arrested August 27 and booked during the early morning hours of August 28 on felony charges including possession, manufacture or distribution of marijuana, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission or attempted commission of a felony, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer through threats or violence.
The records listed Fisher as both the arresting and transporting officer.
Steverson bonded out of jail at approximately 2:45 p.m. August 28, with three bonds totaling $10,000, according to Alcorn’s reporting.
Fellow officer remembers Fisher
Christopher Kent, who said he served as one of Fisher’s first Field Training Officers when Fisher began his law enforcement career with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, shared an emotional tribute following Fisher’s death on social media.
Image: Christopher Kent
Kent recalled Fisher as an officer who took pride in positively representing law enforcement, particularly around children and young people.
“One thing I definitely noticed while training Chris was if he saw a young person or child, he always made it a point to say hello and be a great representation of the badge,” Kent said.
Kent said he never imagined that he would eventually have to say goodbye to Fisher under such circumstances.
“I had the honor of being one of Chris’s first Field Training Officers when he began his law enforcement career with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office,” Kent said. “As an FTO, you hope the lessons you teach will stay with a young deputy throughout his career—but you never imagine having to say goodbye like this.”
Kent said Fisher later served with other agencies before finding his place with the Warm Springs Police Department.
“Chris was tragically killed in the line of duty,” Kent said.
Kent asked the public to keep Fisher’s family, friends, fellow officers and the Warm Springs Police Department in their prayers.
Fisher’s law enforcement career
Fisher’s career in public safety spanned more than 15 years.
According to Georgia POST records previously reported by Alcorn, Fisher began his career as a jail officer with the Heard County Sheriff’s Office in November 2010.
He later returned to the agency in 2017 before joining the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in July 2018.
Fisher completed basic law enforcement training in September 2019 and served as a Fayette County deputy and investigator.
He later served with the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, where he was promoted to sergeant in August 2025.
Fisher joined the Warm Springs Police Department on May 18, 2026, and was promoted to sergeant on July 7, less than two months before his death.
POST records listed Fisher in good standing, with no state sanctions or investigations. He completed more than 1,500 hours of training throughout his career, including training in SWAT operations, active-shooter response, de-escalation, firearms and tactical medical response.
Multiple agencies assisted investigation
The GBI said numerous agencies assisted with the investigation, including the Warm Springs Police Department, Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Manchester Police Department, Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, multiple GBI work units, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Marshals Service.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Midland Regional Investigative Office at 706-565-7888.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through the GBI Tipline at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), through the GBI’s online tip system, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile application.
CNAW2News extends our condolences to Sgt. Fisher’s family, friends, fellow officers and the entire Warm Springs community.
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