The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged Quayshon Whitehurst, 29, in connection to an officer involved shooting from Monday, June 17 in Savannah.

“GBI agents have charged Whitehurst with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and felony obstruction,” says a GBI press release from Tuesday afternoon. “Preliminary information indicates at about 7:20 p.m. [on June 17], Savannah Police Department officers responded to a report of a theft at Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary at 4317 Ogeechee Road in Savannah. The early investigation shows Whitehurst had taken a bookbag from a store employee and left the store.”

“When officers arrived, Whitehurst was no longer on scene. Across Ogeechee Road from the dispensary, officers located Whitehurst behind the Circle K convenience store. An officer confronted Whitehurst and told him to stop. Instead, Whitehurst pulled his gun out and fired at the officer. The officer returned fire, hitting Whitehurst. Officers provided medical aid on scene before EMS personnel arrived. EMS personnel took Whitehurst to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.”

SPD released its first information on the shooting at 10:24 p.m. on Monday night.

“The Savannah Police Department is on the scene of an officer involved shooting in the 4300 block of Ogeechee Road,” read the SPD release. “An adult male suspect was transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The involved officer was not injured. Per SPD policy, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called and will be taking over the investigation of the incident.”

The GBI says it is still looking into the case, as are SPD detectives.

“The Savannah Police Department is working the theft investigation,” according to the GBI’s statement. “The GBI will continue its independent investigation into the officer involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.”

This article appears in Connect Savannah I June 2024.