Gwinnett County Police Fatally Shoot Knife-Wielding Suspect

GBI investigating officer-involved shooting after domestic violence call

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Police in Gwinnett County, Georgia responded to a 911 call about a domestic violence incident and encountered a suspect armed with a knife. Despite commands to drop the weapon, the suspect advanced toward the officers, who then fired in self-defense. The suspect was transported to the hospital but later pronounced dead. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Why it matters

Officer-involved shootings, especially those resulting in fatalities, are highly scrutinized incidents that raise concerns about use of force, de-escalation tactics, and the overall handling of domestic violence calls by law enforcement. The GBI's investigation will aim to determine if the officers' actions were justified based on the circumstances.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a 911 call around 3:44 p.m. reporting a stabbing at a residence. The caller said he was bleeding from the hand and that someone inside the home was trying to stab him. When officers approached the house, they encountered the suspect holding a knife above his head. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, the suspect advanced toward the officers, who then fired in self-defense as the suspect closed the distance. The suspect was transported to the hospital but later pronounced dead.

  • The 911 call came in around 3:44 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • The officer-involved shooting occurred shortly after officers arrived on the scene.

The players

Gwinnett County Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the domestic violence call and was involved in the officer-involved shooting.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)

The state-level law enforcement agency that is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

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What’s next

The GBI's investigation will aim to determine if the officers' use of force was justified based on the circumstances of the incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges and risks that law enforcement face when responding to domestic violence calls, where tensions can quickly escalate and officers may be forced to use deadly force to protect themselves and others.