Officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle. Officers followed the vehicle until Statham drove into a ditch and then fled on foot to a nearby wooded area. Additional officers responded to the area and attempted to get Statham to surrender. Officers allege Statham refused to surrender, maintained a threatening position to the officers, and kept his hands in his pockets. Statham also allegedly told officers he had more ammunition than they did, although he was unarmed. At some point during the encounter, Statham advanced toward officers and three fired their handguns at Statham, striking him. He died at the scene.
Agency: Athens-Clarke County Police Department
Motive: traffic violation, stolen vehicle
Confrontation Type: Traffic Stop
Body Camera: no
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Timothy Statham
Death Date: February 18, 2021
County: Athens-Clarke
Geography: Urban
Gender: Male
Age: 37
Race: White
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unarmed/Did Not Have Actual Weapon
Weapon: no object
Threat Level: undetermined
Fleeing: foot
Washington Post Database ID: 6621