Police Kill Smyrna Man Threatening To Harm Himself: GBI

SMYRNA, GA — State authorities are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Smyrna Saturday afternoon.

Smyrna Police Department officers were called to the 3000 block of North Lincoln Trace Avenue around 3:22 p.m. Saturday regarding a Smyrna man who was reported to be suicidal, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Officers arrived to find 27-year-old Unsfored Lews Thurmond III "holding a firearm threatening suicide," according to Smyrna police. Officers attempted to negotiate with him for several minutes and when Thurmond "pointed the handgun at the police officers," Smyrna PD said in a news release.

An officer fired his gun, striking Thurmond, GBI officials said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he eventually died from his gunshot wounds. No officers were injured.

Per standard protocol, the GBI has opened an independent investigation of the officer-involved shooting, and the findings will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone who is struggling can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741.