Bartow K9 Deputy Injured In Cartersville Shooting; Suspect At Large

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A K9 deputy was injured Thursday in a shooting during a police chase that began on Highway 411 near the Interstate 75 interchange, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Deputies saw a 2010 Honda Civic on Highway 411 around 4:30 p.m., when they learned a man accused of multiple family violence incidents could possibly be inside of the vehicle, authorities said.

In an unknown chain of events, authorities began chasing the Honda Civic, and authorities said the man eventually ran from deputies.

A K9 deputy was released to assist in the chase, and authorities said multiple shots were heard with the K9 being found injured.

The K9 was taken to a nearby animal hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Despite a multi-agency law-enforcement search, which included Cartersville Police, the man was not found. He was identified by authorities as Geoffry Frank Walker, 30, of Rome.

Authorities said Walker had an outstanding warrant for a family violence incident that happened Wednesday at a Market Place Boulevard retail store and also had warrants for an additional family violence and obstruction incident from earlier in the day in Floyd County.

Walker was described by authorities as a Black man, standing at a 6-feet-4-inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He has short spiked gold-bleached hair and was last seen wearing gold/khaki pants, a white shirt and a black and grey jacket.

Authorities ask anyone with information on Walker's location to call the sheriff's office, (770) 382-5050 or call 911.