Officer Involved Shooting at Copper Beech, GBI Investigating

UPDATE from SPD 05/08/2024: 2024- 01878, 4/16/24, Copper Beech Townhomes (1400 Statesboro Place Circle) Officer Joey Deloach shot during the investigation of entering autos called in by a tenant in the complex. Anthony Kent (19, Vidalia, Ga) was arrested with a stolen firearm by SPD officers and BCSO deputies after a foot pursuit. Kent was indicted by the Bulloch County Grand Jury on 5/7/24 on charges of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Entering Auto (2 counts ), Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (Felony), and Obstruction of an Officer (Felony). He remains in the Bulloch County Jail. Special Agents of GBI’s Region 5 Office conducted the use of force investigation while SPD detectives worked the criminal case against Kent for shooting APO Deloach. Case Detective: Senior Detective Ben Purvis

ORIGINAL:

Statesboro Police Department officers were dispatched to Copper Beech Townhomes Tuesday night for a report of a male unlawfully entering vehicles in the parking lot. Advanced Patrol Officer Joey Deloach observed a male subject matching the description given by the caller inside of a parked vehicle, and ordered him from the vehicle. The subject exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with APO Deloach, who was struck but able to summon assistance from other officers in the complex. Deloach was rushed to EGRMC before being flown to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, where he underwent surgery and remains there at this time. The suspect was taken into custody after fleeing on foot. He was found to also have been wounded and was taken to EGRMC for treatment before being transported to the Bulloch County Jail. GBI was requested and began their investigation last night.

SPD Advanced Patrol Officer Joey Deloach

From SPD:

On 4/16/24 at 9:59 p.m. SPD officers were dispatched to Copper Beech Townhomes on States boro Place Circle for a report of a male unlawfully entering vehicles in the parking lot. Officers arrived and walked into the complex in an effort to detain the suspect. Advanced Patrol Officer Joey Deloach, a 7 year veteran of the Department, observed a male subject matching the description given by the caller inside of a parked vehicle. APO Deloach approached the male and ordered him from the vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with APO Deloach, who was struck but able to summon assistance from other officers in the complex. Officers rendered aid to Deloach immediately, rushing him to East Georgia Regional Medical Center from which he was subsequently flown to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah. APO Deloach underwent surgery for his injuries and remains at Memorial at this time, his family being present at his side. SPD asks for the public’s prayers for his swift recovery.

After the shooting, the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area before emerging near Brampton Avenue. Here, he was taken into custody by SPD officers and Bulloch County Sheriff’s deputies , who had responded immediately to assist. The suspect was identified as 19 year old Anthony Kent, originally from Vidalia, Ga. Kent had an active felony warrant for his arrest through the Treutlen County Sheriff’s Office. He was also found to have been wounded in the exchange of gunfire with APO Deloach and was transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center where he was treated. Kent was then transported to the Bulloch County Jail on the charge of Aggravated Assault upon a Public Safety Officer.

Per SPD’s agency policy regarding use of force incidents, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to respond. They did so and remained on scene throughout the night, processing it for evidence and working to identify any witnesses. GBI’s investigation continues at this point.

SPD would like to thank the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Southern University Police for their assistance at the scene.

Anyone with information on this case should contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Region 5 Investigative Office at 912-871- 1121. Information may also be provided to Senior Detective Ben Purvis at 912- 764- 9911 or by submitting an anonymous tip to www.tipsoft.com or by texting 274637 and entering “TIPSSPD” plus your message.

From GBI:

At the request of the Statesboro Police Department, GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Statesboro, Bulloch County, Georgia. Anthony De’Jarion Kent age 19, of Vidalia, Georgia was injured in the incident. One officer was injured in this incident. 

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at about 10:00 p.m., the Statesboro Police Department responded to an entering auto complaint at Copper Beech Apartments. Preliminary information indicates the initial responding officer saw Kent at the apartment complex in a parked car.  The officer approached Kent and asked him to get out of the car. During the encounter, there was an exchange of gunfire.  Kent ran away from the scene but was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement. 

The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment and is listed in stable condition. Kent was taken to a local hospital for treatment and later released.   

Kent was booked into the Bulloch County Jail. 

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.