Suspect Involved in Habersham County Shooting is Dead

After stealing a vehicle in White County and attempting a carjacking in Toccoa, the suspect involved in the Habersham County shooting is dead.

According to Police Chief Tim Jarrell, at 7:34 Sunday morning, the Toccoa Police Department was contacted by the White County Sheriff’s Office about a vehicle that was taken after a weapon was brandished. Jarrell said about an hour later, the Toccoa Police Department received reports of an attempted carjacking in Toccoa.

“The Toccoa Police Department received a 911 call from a person who was at the Toccoa Nursing home, which is also Pruitt Health on Falls Road,” said Jarrell. “They said that someone attempted to take their vehicle from them and pointed a gun at them.”
Jarrell said officers arrived on scene and were able to get a description and direction of travel of the suspect, at which point Jarrell contacted Habersham County 911.

“We contacted Habersham County 911,” said Jarrell. “In return, a Habersham County Sheriff’s deputy made contact with a vehicle matching the description that was given from White County and from us there near or around the Tom Arrendale intersection of 441 or GA 15.”

According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 9:20 a.m., a Habersham County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by Christopher Collins, 24, of 531 Tom Cantrell Road Cleveland, on Rosewood Drive near the intersection with Georgia Hwy 15 in Habersham County based on the BOLO given to Habersham by Toccoa and White County law enforcement.

During the stop, Collins failed to comply with the deputy’s repeated commands to show his hands.  Collins then exited the vehicle with a firearm at which time the deputy fired his duty weapon at Collins, striking him.  Collins was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident.  No officers were injured during the incident.