GBI investigates Wrens officer’s use of stun gun on teen
WRENS Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a use-of-force incident that resulted in a 15-year-old being shocked by an officer during a fight at an apartment complex.
According to officials, at approximately 9:30 p.m. June 19, three officers with the Wrens Police Department were patrolling at the Pine Valley Apartments in Wrens.
While at the apartments, the officers saw a fight between several people. While trying to break up the fight, one of the officers deployed his stun gun, striking a 15-year-old girl who was in the fight, according to authorities.
But what the police say happened is being contradicted by the family and the girl herself. The girl, Shanice Thurman, told News 12 the fight was not between multiple people, but just between her and a boy. She also said after an officer had already broken up the fight, another officer came up and shocked her.
She also said she was holding her 1-year-old godson during the fight when she got shocked.
“Physically he’s OK, but mentally, he’s traumatized,” said Tina Brown, the mother of the 1-year-old.
The GBI was requested by Wrens Police Chief Jamey Kitchens to investigate the incident, evaluating it as a”use of force” incident. Preliminary information from the GBI conflicts the explanation from Thurman, stating that while she was holding a child earlier in the evening, she was not holding the child when she was shocked.
“I just want to say that I don’t agree with the GBI preliminary investigation,” said Donyetta Thurman, the girl’s mother. “I don’t agree with it at all.
The GBI says the girl was provided attention by emergency medical crews and was medically cleared at a local hospital. She was charged with affray and obstruction of an officer and was released to her parent.
“I need justice,” Donyetta Thurman said. “This is crazy.”
The investigation is ongoing and upon completion will be turned over to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review. Authorities say there is body cam footage of the incident, but due to the open investigation, they are not releasing it at this time.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the GBI at 706-595-2575.
Copyright 2020 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
