Staff Reports
Augusta, GA – A late-night “domestic dispute” call spiraled into a tense doorstep confrontation when a deputy says he came face-to-face with a young man carrying a rifle—ending with shots fired, an arrest, and an ongoing outside review.
According to the sheriff’s account at a press briefing, deputies were dispatched around 11:26 p.m. on February 17 to a home on Peach Orchard Road after a reported domestic dispute. When Deputy Clark arrived, the scene looked anything but normal: the front door was open, and multiple cars sat in the yard with their doors open, officials said.
“Drop the firearm!”
As Deputy Clark stepped onto the porch, officials say he announced himself as law enforcement and tried to make contact with anyone inside. That’s when, according to investigators, a 23-year-old man—identified as Jeff Tyson)—came out from a hallway holding a rifle.
The deputy issued multiple verbal commands ordering him to drop the weapon, the sheriff said. But officials claim the man didn’t comply—and instead moved toward the deputy.
Then came the moment that triggered gunfire.
Authorities say the man raised the rifle toward Deputy Clark, and the deputy fired, striking him—believed to be in the stomach.
Suspect taken into custody, rushed to hospital
After the shots, officials said Deputy Clark was able to take the man into custody and render aid until EMS arrived. The suspect was then transported to Wellstar, where the sheriff said he was in stable condition and “going to be okay.”
A mugshot was not available at the time of the briefing because, officials said, he had not yet been taken to the detention center.
Charges and investigation
The sheriff said the suspect is expected to face charges including:
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Aggravated assault on a police officer
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Possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime (described as “firearm or knife” during the briefing)
Because it was an officer-involved shooting, the case is being reviewed by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Regional Use of Force Team, described as standard protocol intended to provide outside review and reduce bias.
A chaotic scene: “windows… knocked out or shot at”
During questions, officials also referenced signs of turmoil at the property, saying the deputy walked past a house where windows “appeared… either knocked out or shot at.” They also said other people may have been present, including the suspect’s grandmother, and possibly his mother.
The sheriff added that, as far as officials were aware at the time of the briefing, they didn’t believe the suspect had a prior record.
Deputy placed on administrative leave
Deputy Clark has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, officials said. If cleared, the deputy would typically go through additional steps—described as more training—before returning to duty.
Officials noted this was the second officer-involved shooting of the year, compared with one the previous year, and urged the community to keep both the suspect and the deputy in their prayers.
Sheriff’s Press Conference at this link: https://www.facebook.com/RichmondCountySheriffsOfficeGeorgia/videos/1265317258803307
2 Responses
Jeff O’Tyson was suffering from a mental break down all the damage on his property were done himself not because of an argument or anyone else. He lives on a family property so a lot of people were here to witness his breakdown, his family called the police because we did not know what else to do to get him to calm down. The police did not see his breakdown and did what they had to do when he would not put down the gun. I believe it should be published he was a mental breakdown and he need mental help not jail!
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