GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Athens

At the request of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Athens, Georgia. One man, identified as Marquavious Sims, age 26, died during the incident. No officers were injured in the incident.

Preliminary information indicates on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at about 1:20 a.m., a person called 911 to report a man had a "machine gun" out and was waving it around. Responding ACCPD officers saw Sims with the weapon at a Verizon store near the intersection of Lexington Road and Gaines School Road in Athens. Sims ran across the road and into the parking lot of a Quick Trip gas station. Officers chased Sims and repeatedly shouted for him to drop the gun. At one point, Sims turned and fired the gun at the pursing officers. Two officers returned fire, hitting Sims multiple times. Officers provided emergency medical assistance until EMTs arrived. Sims was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Sims' body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur, Georgia for an autopsy.

The GBI will continue to conduct an independent investigation. Once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Clarke County District Attorney's Office for review.