Police Shooting Injures Trooper, Suspect In Rockdale

CONYERS, GA — A Georgia trooper and a suspect were both injured in a police shooting Saturday in the area of Sigman Road, authorities said Sunday.

Troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on two vehicles for racing around 11:45 p.m. on Interstate 20, the Georgia State Patrol said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the cars exited onto Sigman, where an SUV went into a gas station parking lot and circled the pumps to elude troopers. Details regarding the second vehicle are unknown.

The GBI identified the driver of the SUV as Tony Ward, 34, of Atlanta.

Authorities said the passenger, 41-year-old Jonesboro resident Chester Williams, got out of the SUV and shot at the troopers. A trooper returned fire, shooting Williams, the GBI said.

A trooper was injured in the shooting and taken to a hospital for observation, the GBI said. The GSP said the trooper's injuries were minor.

Williams was arrested and was being treated at a local hospital, the GBI said. Jail records for Williams were not immediately available.

Ward was accused of fleeing the scene, but the GBI said he was later found near neighboring businesses. He was arrested and put into the custody of the GSP, the GBI said.

Rockdale County Jail records showed Monday that Ward was charged on suspicion of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence of alcohol and obstruction of law enforcement officer when engaged in official duties which results in serious harm.

Once the GBI's investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office for review.