Woman shot and killed by Calhoun, Ga. police officers Tuesday identified
GORDON COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE (Wednesday :
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified Jael Estefania De La Rosa Silie as the driver of a vehicle in Tuesday's shooting in Calhoun, Georgia.
The GBI says Silie had come up short while trying to pay for cigarettes in the gas station, and Calhoun Officer Jeremy Thompson helped her pay.
Afterward, the GBI says Tameka Simpson, the woman who was riding with Silie, fired shots and was killed during an encounter with officers.
Silie was arrested for failure to appear on traffic violations.
Silie was not hurt, nor did she fire shots in the incident.
Calhoun Police also posted a message on Facebook about the incident.
Chief Tony Pyle wrote, "I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and kind words we have received during this difficult time. Both officers involved in the incident are doing as well as can be expected. Please continue to pray for our officers and their families as well as the family of the young lady involved."
Read more about the incident below.
UPDATE (Wednesday 2:30pm):
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) releases updated information and identifies the woman who died during Tuesday's shooting.
In a news release, the GBI says Calhoun Officer Jeremy Thompson helped a woman short on change make a purchase at the BP station on 312 South Wall Street.
When leaving the store, Officer Thompson smelled an odor thought to be marijuana and encountered 27-year-old Tameka LaShay Simpson, who was riding with the woman the officer helped.
The GBI says, at that point, Officer Thompson called in a suspicious vehicle. Officer Joe Yother arrived on scene as back up, who asked for identification.
The press release says, during the encounter, Simpson pulled out a firearm and fired shots which struck Officer Yother. Officers returned fire, killing Simpson.
An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation to determine what occurred during the incident. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit for review.
Watch James Torrez's report below:
PREVIOUSLY:
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) are racing to Calhoun, Georgia after a report of a shooting involving a police officer.
The GBI confirms that an officer was injured in the incident but is expected to survive. A female suspect is deceased.
The incident happened near a BP station at Wall Street and Line Street.
The GBI says the officer helped one of the suspects pay for cigarettes, after she said she came up short. The officer, identified as Joe Yother, smelled marijuana on the woman, and went to the car to ask for identification.
The GBI says a woman in the passenger side opened the glove compartment, pulled out a gun, and opened fire.
The bullet struck the officer in the chest, but deflected off of his smartphone. The bullet later lodged in his arm. The GBI says he is expected to be okay.
Another officer returned fire, killing the suspect. The other woman in the car was taken into custody.
Watch a livestream of the GBI news confernce below:
The GBI says the investigation into this incident continues.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
