GBI investigating death of bystander in officer-involved shooting

On Friday, July 27, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Savannah Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting of a woman in West Savannah who was a bystander during a gunfight.

"Preliminary information indicates that while investigating a shooting incident that occurred on New Castle Street, Savannah PD Officers encountered a person in the 1600 block of Stratford Street, Savannah, GA who matched the description of the person who may have been involved in the earlier incident. This person was later determined to be Chantz Cooper, 20, of Savannah, Georgia," the GBI reports.

"During the encounter, it appears shots were exchanged between Cooper and a Savannah PD Officer at which time a bystander inside a residence was struck by gunfire. Officers and EMS personnel rendered aid to the bystander who subsequently died on scene as a result of her injuries," GBI says.

An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Savannah.

"At this point in the investigation, the origin of the bystander’s lethal injuries is unknown. Cooper was also injured as a result of the incident and was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No officers were injured during the incident," GBI reports.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation to determine what occurred during the incident. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office for review.