Man shot, killed in fifth police shooting in Savannah this year
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called early Friday to investigate a police-involved shooting at the intersection of Gwinnett and Magazine streets in West Savannah, the Savannah Police Department confirmed in a tweet and in an email. The man who was shot, Saudi Arai Lee, 31, of Savannah, died from his injuries.
No officers were harmed in the shooting, according to SPD's tweet.
Officers are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at Gwinnett and Magazine streets. The GBI has been requested to the scene to lead the investigation. No officers were harmed in this incident.
— Savannah Police Department (@SavPolice) June 24, 2022
According to the GBI's preliminary report, at about 11:50 a.m., Savannah police officers were patrolling an area near Gwinnett and Crosby Streets when they noticed Lee walking in the middle of the street.
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The officers approached Lee to speak with him. That's when Lee immediately showed his wallet saying it contained his weapons permit, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said in a news release.
"Lee lifted his shirt and pulled a weapon from a holster. A short chase ensued, and Lee was shot by an officer," Miles said.
A video shared on Facebook purportedly capturing the aftermath of the shooting and which has since been removed, showed onlookers rushing near Lee, as two officers stood near his body; they urged police to help the man whose body was sprawled in the street.
About four minutes into the video, officers are seen giving the man CPR. Commenters in the video could be heard saying the victim had a gun but did not point it at any of the officers.
Miles said medical aid was rendered at the scene, and Lee was taken to Memorial University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy.
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A handgun and holster were recovered from the scene by GBI agents. The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case will be given to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
This is 62nd police shooting in the state that the GBI has been asked to investigate this year.
Per SPD's protocol, the GBI is called to investigate police shootings. Lee's is the sixth in Chatham County this year and the fifth involving Savannah Police. A list of police shootings this year can be found on the GBI's website.
No further details have been released.
Raisa is a Watchdog and Investigative Reporter for The Savannah Morning News. Contact her at rhabersham@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah police shoot, kill man at Gwinnett, Magazine streets
