William Earnest Brooks, was allegedly riding an ATV outside of a home on Social Circle Fairplay Road, prompting a 9-1-1 call that sent deputies to the home. The caller said the homeowner expected someone to be there to do some yard work but not to ride an ATV. Deputies tried to talk with Brooks, but he allegedly ran away, and police chased him. Police said Brooks overpowered the deputy, causing the deputy to draw his weapon and fire one round, missing Brooks. Brooks then took the weapon and fled deeper into the woods. A Georgia State Patrol helicopter spotted Brooks near a lake shoreline. Multiple Walton County deputies and one Social Circle police officer shot and killed Brooks.
Victim's Name: William Earnest Brooks
Agency Responsible: Walton County Sheriff's Office, Social Circle Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Race: Unknown race
Date of Death: July 26, 2018
County: Walton
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: Foot
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 3890
Geography: Rural