THOMASVILLE — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has released the names of the suspect shot and killed by an law enforcement officer and the officer who opened fire Wednesday night.

Jomekia Minter, 37, was shot and killed in an incident on County Line Road, according to the GBI. Thomas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tyler Lamon has been identified as the officer who who shot Minter.

According to the GBI, at approximately 7:11 p.m. Wednesday, Thomas County 911 received a report of a man walking along County Line Road with a gun.  Thomas County sheriff’s deputies responded and made contact with the individual, who was talking irrationally and carrying a pistol. 

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation through offers of assistance, but the man was not responsive and maintained possession of the weapon.  Information from witnesses revealed repeated attempts were made to ease the situation by speaking to the man and trying to offer him help and get him to drop the gun, according to the GBI.

During the incident, the Thomasville/Thomas County SWAT Team was called and also attempted to communicate with Minter. SWAT team officers eventually approached the individual as he continued to walk along the road.  Officers deployed a non-lethal flexible baton (bean bag) round, but it was unsuccessful.  

Minter, according to reports, then pointed his pistol toward the SWAT officers. An officer providing cover, identified later as Lamon, during the incident fatally shot the subject.

The GBI is investigating the incident and when the investigation is completed it will be turned over to the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.