Officer-Involved Shooting in Lyons

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is probing an officerinvolved shooting that occurred in Lyons on Sunday, January 9, and left a suspect wounded.

The Lyons Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation following the incident that led to the arrest of Charles Tavaris James, 32, of Vidalia, and the injury of Taliyah Williams, 17, of Vidalia. No officers were injured in the incident. James is being held in the Toombs County Detention Center on aggravated assault charges. Other warrants against him may be outstanding, said Lyons Police Chief Wesley Walker.

The GBI reported that shortly after midnight Lyons police officers responded to a bank alarm call, and while checking the bank heard shots being fired. Officers called dispatch at 12:11 a.m. stating they heard shots fired and Dispatch also received a 911 call about shots fired near CKT trailer park at 254 East Clifton Avenue in Lyons. After officers responded to the area where gunfire was heard, they saw someone, later continued from page

identified as James, driving through a ditch and through the yards of homes. James exited the vehicle and ran away, and after a short chase, was arrested on Jones Street.

Williams, who was also in the car with James, drove away and another Lyons police officer chased her. During the chase, Williams drove by the officer who had James in custody. The officer heard gunfire and fired shots towards the car. The chase continued and the Georgia State Patrol joined the pursuit.

The vehicle being driven by Williams stopped at East Grady and 11th Street because of a flat tire, and Williams got out of the car and ran. She was shot and wounded by the GSP trooper. Williams was taken to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Savannah. Williams was reported to be in stable condition Monday and charges against her are pending.

Chief Walker said two of his officers who were involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as is standard policy.

The GBI investigation is active and ongoing. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be given to the Toombs County District Attorney’s Office for review.

SCENE OF SHOOTING — This GBI photo shows the site where an officer-involved shooting occurred on Sunday, January 9, after a chase of the suspects by authorities. One suspect was apprehended and another suspect was wounded and transferred to a Savannah hospital for treatment. No officers were hurt in the incident.