GBI investigating officer-involved shooting

A man is recovering from an injury to his hand after a incident in Gordon County, Georgia, led to a state trooper firing a shot into a suspect car at the end of a police chase.

The shooting happened at the end of a pursuit that began at 12:09 a.m. Sunday when a Gordon County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Santiago Alberto Franco Marquez, 35, of Calhoun, Georgia, according to a statement from the GBI.

A pursuit ensued continuing for approximately 15 minutes, involving the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and Calhoun Police Department, officials said.

A state trooper attempted a “box maneuver” in an effort to end the pursuit when Marquez struck the trooper’s vehicle and also collided with a Gordon County Sheriff’s Office patrol car at the intersection of Harris Beamer Road and LaVista Drive.

The trooper got out of his vehicle as Marquez continued to strike the trooper’s vehicle, and the trooper fired one shot into the driver’s side window of Marquez’s vehicle, officials said. Marquez fled through the passenger’s side on foot and was apprehended about 100 yards away after being tased by a deputy.

Marquez sustained an injury to his hand and was transported to Floyd Hospital where he was treated and released to the sheriff’s office. Marquez is charged with aggravated assault on an officer, attempting to elude, among other traffic violations.

No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident, officials said. Investigators said the GBI will continue its independent probe, and once complete, the case will be turned over to the Cherokee Circuit District Attorney for review.