Columbia County sheriff goes in-depth about fatal shooting of deputy
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Saturday evening’s shooting rocked the CSRA and left many questioning how the incident transpired and when we would learn more.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference Sunday afternoon, where Sheriff Clay Whittle told the public the details of the incident starting at the time deputies pulled over the shooter, James Blake Montgomery.
Three deputies, Deputy Brandon Sikes, Deputy Gavin White and Deputy Andrew Brown, pulled over Montgomery to serve him with a temporary protective order regarding domestic violence. Montgomery was driving an RV/mobile home.
Columbia County deputy killed, 1 injured in shooting during traffic stop
Two Columbia County deputies were shot during a traffic stop Saturday, leaving one dead and sending another to a hospital.
When the deputies approached Montgomery, he was compliant and acknowledged why they pulled him over.
They told him he would be free to go on his way.
However, when two of the deputies turned away, Montgomery fired a 9mm AR pistol that had been converted to fully automatic, at the three deputies.
Sikes was struck and killed at the scene.
White was struck in the face and is in critical condition, he has use of his extremities and is currently in surgery at Wellstar MCG hospital. Sheriff Whittle said White has a long recovery ahead of him, but is “very upbeat and incredibly strong.”
Brown was able to retrieve his gun and, along with Deputy Jared Mason, fired back at the RV. “They both engaged the shooter themselves, but I think they are the ones who brought this to an end,” said Whittle.
Amid the firing from Montgomery, Brown dragged White to a patrol car while Montgomery was still firing, and drove him to Doctors Hospital. Doctors said Brown’s actions probably saved White’s life.
During the incident, Montgomery tried to drive away, but veered into the cable barriers on the left side of the highway, bringing the RV to a stop after fire from the officers, where it stayed for hours.
The RV was also towing a truck, which also came to a stop on the left side of the highway.
Montgomery was found dead in the RV by investigators.
After Montgomery was found dead, a robot and drones identified possible pipe bombs and explosive paraphernalia in the RV. One of the bombs was rigged with a remote switch.
Investigators found four propane containers underneath the RV.
Whittle revealed Montgomery was part of an illegal steroid operation. It’s unclear what his intentions were.
The incident is being investigated by the Regional Force Investigation Team, which includes Columbia, Burke and Richmond counties.
Whittle said there is a big mental health issue in the country, and it is not being addressed. “There’s just a lot of people out there who can’t function in society,” and are a danger, he said. “Until we come to with how we’re going to deal with these people, we’re going to be faced with this tragedy.”
Sikes’s wife, Amber, is also an employee of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Sikes had been a deputy since 2018 on the crime suppression team.
His autopsy will be on Monday.
Montgomery’s body is being transported to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy at a later date.
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