What we know about wanted man who died in police chase

HARLEM, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We’re learning more about the pursuit of a wanted man that ended with his death Monday in a crash.

Shawn E. Threatt, 41, of Milledgeville, fled from officers and died after his Chevrolet Malibu slammed into a patrol vehicle around 4:15 p.m. Monday, according to authorities.

Threatt had several active felony warrants through Columbia County, Grovetown, Waynesboro and the Georgia Department of Parole, according to officials.

A pursuit began after authorities said “technology” had pinpointed him in the area. They didn’t explain further, but Columbia County has an extensive system of monitored traffic cameras that have been used to track down crime suspects.

Authorities wouldn’t reveal what the felony warrants were for, but we do know he had an outstanding parole warrant and past misdemeanor convictions.

Authorities said multiple cases against Threatt from 2016-2022 were investigated by the Milledgeville Police Department. Those cases involve charges related to bad checks, marijuana possession, aggressive driving, stalking and simple battery - family violence, according to authorities.

More recently, he was accused of simple battery - family violence in an Evans incident against his wife on Jan. 15.

That’s the date they separated, according to a divorce petition, which said he’d spit in her face, made threats of killing her and tried to break into her home.

She filed for a protective order, and he was sought on a charge of aggravated stalking, a felony.

According to authorities, he began calling her, then her car alarm in the garage began going off late at night. She said there were three separate incidents documented by the Waynesboro Police Department of tracking devices being placed on her car.

She said he also made a purchase on her Walmart app on Valentine’s Day.

That’s the day she petitioned for divorce.

Baldwin County over in Milledgeville says Threatt has been a frequent offender since 2004 on charges from aggressive driving to simple battery and stalking.

Monday’s pursuit began at Appling Harlem Road and West Forrest Street in Harlem. Deputies say it went over to North Fairview Drive and eventually went south on Sawdust Road, where the fatal crash occurred.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy was approaching the pursuit from the opposite direction and was hit nearly head-on by Threatt’s car.

Threatt was pronounced dead at Doctors Hospital, and the deputy suffered only minor injuries.

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