Crime & Safety

Avondale Estates Police ID Man Shot by Officer

The man shot to death by the officer was Jayvis L. Benjamin, 20.

Avondale Estates police have released a little more information about the Jan. 18 police shooting that left a man dead.

The man has been identified as Jayvis L. Benjamin, 20, of Line Street, Decatur, police said.

While the shooting is investigated by the GBI and the DeKalb District Attorney's office, the officer has been taken off patrol. The 10-year veteran in the department is handling administrative duties in the office, police said.

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Police said the officer saw Benjamin run a red light at a high rate of speed at Covington Highway and Kensington Road about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 18.

The officer pursued and found the car, a 2003 Ford Mustang, a few blocks away in a residential area on Kensington Road where it had crashed, hitting a power pole and another vehicle.

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Police said the officer approached the vehicle while commanding the driver to remain in the vehicle.Β  Police said the driver got out fo the car, moved towards the officer in an agitated manner and assaulted the officer. Police said the officer shot the man once in the chest.

Police said the car had been reported stolen to DeKalb County police about 3 p.m. that day. It was taken from the 4000 block of Memorial Drive and was owned by a Savannah resident.


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