GBI: Teen Shot by Officer Threatened Family with Knife

Authorities have identified the policeman in the officer-involved shooting that wounded a 16-year-old Wednesday at an apartment complex near the Georgia Gwinnett College campus.

Gwinnett Police said in a Thursday release that Officer Kevin Williams, 29, fired at and struck the knife-wielding teen at the Sugar Mill Apartments at 855 Walther Blvd in unincoporated Lawrenceville after officers responded to a domestic dispute call.

RELATED: 16-Year-Old Wounded in Officer-Involved Shooting Near GGC

This is in an area just south of the Georgia Gwinnett College campus near Ga. 316.

The teen, who allegedly threatened his siblings and cut one of them, was listed in critical condition at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, the GBI said in a news release, also on Thursday. The GBI was called in to take the lead role in the investigation.

The GBI said officers responded to the scene around 3:40 p.m. Wednesday after the step-father called 911 to report the teen was threatening his siblings. The step-father was on his way to the residence when he made the emergency call.

When the step-father arrived he called 911 again to say the 16-year-old had a knife and had cut one of the siblings, the GBI said.

From the GBI news release:

Gwinnett Police Officer K. E. Williams, 29, arrived and was met by the step-father and the 16-year-old, who was armed with a knife. Officer Williams gave numerous commands for the 16-year-old to drop the knife. The 16-year-old reportedly advanced toward Officer Williams as he backed away shouting commands. As the 16-year-old continued to close the distance between himself and the officer, the officer shot him causing him to stop and fall to the ground. The officers on the scene provided medical attention for the 16-year-old and he was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) for treatment where he is listed in critical condition.

The GBI said once it completes its independent investigation into the incident, its findings will be forwarded to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.

Gwinnett Police said Williams has been with the Gwinnett County Police Department since September of 2014.