THOMASVILLE — The identifications of both the officer and the suspect fatally shot in a Wednesday night incident have been released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 

Jomekia Minter, 37, was fatally shot by Tyler Lamon, a Thomas County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned to the Thomasville-Thomas County SWAT Team, according to Bahan Rich, GBI Office of Public Affairs deputy director. 

An autopsy on Minter’s body was completed Friday morning, according to the GBI. 

The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI investigate the Wednesday incident. 

According to the GBI, Thomas County 911 received a report of Minter walking down County Line Road. Minter was said to be in possession of a gun. 

Deputies responded and made contact with Minter, “who was talking irrationally and carrying a pistol,” according to the GBI. 

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by offering assistance to Minter but were unsuccessful. According to the GBI, witnesses interviewed stated repeated attempts were made to ease the situation, trying to get Minter to drop the gun and offer him help. 

Thomasville/Thomas County SWAT Team was called to the scene and attempted to communicate with Minter, eventually approaching him as he continued to walk along the road. 

A non-lethal flexible baton round was deployed but unsuccessful, according to the GBI. 

Minter then pointed the gun at SWAT officers, the GBI said, and he was shot by Lamon. Lamon was providing cover during the incident. 

Once completed, the GBI’s investigation will be turned over the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. 

According to Capt. Steven Jones, sheriff’s office public information officer, Lamon, a white male, has been placed on administrative leave. Minter is a black male. 

The GBI is continuing to probe the August fatal shooting of a Thomasville man by a drug squad agent.

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.