Banks Co. Shooting Leads to Chase, Standoff, and Arrest

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A high-speed chase through Banks, Franklin and Madison Counties is over and a suspect is under arrest after an hours-long stand off overnight earlier this week.

Banks County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Sergeant Carissa McFaddin said it started about 9 p.m. Monday when Banks County Dispatch received a report of a robbery and shooting in the area of Carson Road and Highway 326.

“Banks County 911 originally received an emergency call around 8:51 p.m. regarding a shooting that had just occurred in the area of Carson Road and Highway 326. Deputies responded and found two victims, one of which who was shot in the chest and the other shot in the arm,” McFaddin said.

McFaddin said the two victims were traveling with the suspect, identified as 38-year old Jeremy John Onori of Athens, when a fight broke out in the vehicle.

Banks County then placed a lookout for a white Infiniti, which was spotted in Madison County about 11:42 p.m. Monday by a trooper with the Georgia State Patrol and a high-speed chase ensued.

The GSP was assisted in the chase by Madison and Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies.

Troopers were able to use a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle in the area of Black Creek Church and Red Hill Roads in Madison County.

That is when McFaddin said the suspect then put a gun to his head inside the vehicle.

“A standoff with the driver ensued quickly at which time the driver refused to put the gun down and continued to smoke from a smoking device that contained what is believed to be crack cocaine,” McFaddin explained. “The standoff continued until 4:19 a.m. After negotiation efforts were employed, Georgia State Patrol SWAT was finally able to detain the suspect. The driver was then confirmed to be the initial suspect from the Banks County double shooting.”

Assisting in the standoff were deputies from the Banks, Franklin and Madison County Sheriff’s departments, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Task Force.

McFaddin said the standoff lasted for several hours until about 4:19 a.m. Tuesday when a Georgia State Patrol SWAT team was finally able to drag the suspect out of the vehicle and arrest him.

“We would like to thank GBI, GSP, GSP SWAT, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Commerce Police Department and the ADTF for all of their assistance during this incident,” McFaddin said Tuesday.

After his arrest, the GSP determined the suspect was the same man wanted in the Banks County double shooting.

McFaddin said charges will be leveled against Onori by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

At last report, there was no word on the condition of the victims.