Fight Over Gun Led To GA Man's Death In Car: Sheriff

LITHIA SPRINGS, GA — New details surrounding the controversial shooting death of a man whose body was found in a car's passenger seat during a traffic stop have been released by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Douglas County Lt. Col. Tavarreus Pounds on Thursday said Malachi Mitchell on Jan. 29 met with an unknown male to sell a gun. Pounds added the two men, who knew each other, fought over the control of the gun after the sale.

The man, who Pounds said was buying the gun, was accused of grabbing a second gun and fatally shooting Mitchell.

Pounds said the man told someone he thought he had been set up and was being followed, leading him to then flee the scene.

Authorities previously said the man was stopped near Thornton Road and Interstate 20, where they said they found Mitchell's body in the passenger seat. Pounds said the traffic stop was due to the panicked man's erratic driving.

RELATED: Man Found Dead During Traffic Stop In Douglas Co.

"Based on the witness' statement, the driver was clearly in a state of panic, uncertainty and seeking rational advice from someone he was dealing with during this traumatic experience," Pounds said.

The man was taken to the sheriff's office facility, where authorities said he was cooperative. They added the man has since been released from the sheriff's office.

His identity is not being released because of gang-related threats against his family, Pounds said.

Mitchell's mother, Kenya Mitchell, told Fox 5 Atlanta the gun sale was legal and private. She told the media outlet not knowing how the driver was able to quickly be released concerned her.

"For them to protect his family and him is beyond my understanding," she told Fox 5. "So, what happened? Where is the man who shot my son?"

Pounds said authorities will not be hasty about an arrest due to public pressure. He added all aspects of the case are being examined, and the case will be given to the Douglas County District's Attorney for review.