Law enforcement agents across north Georgia are on the lookout for a man who allegedly killed a police officer and wounded another in Athens Tuesday.
Police are on the lookout for Jamie Hood, 33, a black man who weighs about 175 pounds and is 5 feet, 9 inches tall.
Hood allegedly killed a police officer and wounded another at the entrance of Cascades on the River apartments. Identities of the officers in the incident aren’t yet available.
He reportedly fled the scene in a Geo Prism with GA tag 375GHX.
Madison County Sheriff Kip Thomas said the county sheriff’s department is on the lookout for Hood.
Residents should consider Hood armed and dangerous. Anyone with contact with Hood should call 911 immediately.
Here is a press release from the Athens Police Department that was released shortly after 6 p.m., (today) Tuesday, March 22, then updated shortly after 7 p.m.:
Athens police officers were investigating an alleged kidnapping and carjacking at 12:53 p.m. Tuedsay that occurred earlier on Winterville Road. Officers were following up on a possible location of a named suspect, Jamie Hood, who was thought to reside in the Sycamore Drive area.
Senior Police Officer Tony Howard observed a red Chevrolet Suburban driven by a person he knew to be a relative of the suspect. When he stopped the subject vehicle, the driver appeared to be compliant. The passenger in the subject vehicle, Jamie Hood, at some point, exited the suburban and shot the initial officer.
A second officer, Senior Police Officer Jerry Johnson, heard the shots and took the driver into custody. The shooter, Jamie Hood, had run from the traffic stop site and encountered a third responding officer. Jamie Hood shot into the police vehicle and struck Senior Police Officer Elmer “Buddy” Christian, who was fatally wounded. SPO Christian, a veteran officer of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, is survived by his loving wife, a son, a daughter, his parents, and a brother.
Murder warrants have been issued for Jamie Hood, who is still at large. He is a 33 year old black male, 5’08, 175 lbs. with a muscular build. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with a yellow design and blue jean shorts. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of Hood. Tattoos: “JOB” with a female on his chest; “Robert/Dad” on his right arm; “Mom Azale” and a heart on his left arm; scars on the back of his head and chest.
SPO Tony Howard has been transported to the hospital where he is expected to recover from his gunshot wounds. SPO Jerry Johnson was not injured.
