Two Police Officers Shot at Georgia Southwestern In Americus

UPDATED: The following is a statement from 2nd District Congressman Sanford Bishop

AMERICUS, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding the shooting in Americus, GA:

“This morning in Americus, two law enforcement officers were shot by a gunman near Georgia Southwestern University, which was put on lockdown. One of these officers did not survive his wounds, while the other remains in critical condition. The gunman has been identified and multiple law enforcement agencies are coordinating in an effort to find him and bring him into custody.

“We must never forget the sacrifices of our first responders and their families. My condolences go out to the families of the officers, and I pray for the full recovery of the injured. I also pray for a swift resolution to this manhunt, and I have full confidence in the law enforcement agencies searching for the shooter.”

Original post:

Two police officers have been shot at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. Current reports indicate the officers are in grave condition and the suspect, who has been identified, remains at large. 11Alive has some of the still sketchy details:

A university public safety officer and an Americus Police officer were wounded in the shooting, which happened at the Griffin Bell Golf Course, just south of the main campus.

Americus Police Chief Mark Scott said the officers were looking for a specific suspect. “They encountered the suspect they’d been looking for,” Chief Scott said. Shots were exchanged and both police officers were hit.

I’ve been spending a good bit of time in Southwest Georgia lately, specifically Sumter County, so the news of two police officers shot at Georgia Southwestern in Americus today hits home. Send prayers for the officers and their families, the doctors currently working on them, and the students, faculty, and citizens they serve and protect. May God have mercy on the shooter, because I feel it will be in short supply from anyone else in the area.

I’m going to close comments on this post. Speculation about facts and discussion of political implications are not appropriate at this time. Prayers are.