A Georgia man identified as James Blake Montgomery allegedly shot at two Columbia County deputies with a modified handgun during a traffic stop. Deputy Brandon Sikes was killed, while Deputy Gavin White was injured and is in critical condition.
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According to WRDW, the incident took place on Saturday, April 26, while Montgomery was driving an RV on Interstate 20. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office believed at that point that Montgomery had been altering firearms, modifying them to be fully automatic. Authorities also believed that he had been crafting pipe bombs.
Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle held a press conference where he detailed the incident step by step.
A total of three deputies carried out the traffic stop to serve Montgomery with a temporary protective order, reported as in connection with domestic violence. Initially, Montgomery acted normally with the deputies. However, as both Sikes and White turned their backs on Montgomery, the suspect allegedly fired a 9mm AR pistol at them. The pistol had been modified to work as a fully automatic pistol.
During the shooting, Deputy Sikes was killed while Deputy White was shot in the face, later transported to the Wellstart MCH Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Immediately, other deputies fired back at Montgomery. Montgomery attempted to flee, but his RV veered into the left side of the highway and cable barriers. It is believed that deputies killed the suspect at this moment, and he was later found dead by investigators.
Inside his home, drones and robots reportedly found pipe bombs and drug paraphernalia.
Reactions
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson issued a statement on Saturday, addressing the incident.
"Heartbroken and praying for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and our neighbors in Columbia County," Johnson wrote on
Facebook. "Our prayers are with the families of the fallen, the entire Sheriff's Office, and all who are grieving this unimaginable loss. We honor their sacrifice and pray for the difficult days ahead."Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said on X that he mourned the loss of Deputy Brandon Sikes. As of April 26 at 9 p.m., Carr said they were awaiting updates on Deputy White's condition.
"Anyone willing to put on the uniform every day in a job that's not safe, with somebody waiting for them to come home at the end of the shift, deserves our unwavering support & continued appreciation," Carr wrote. "We join in praying for the family of this fallen Deputy, his fellow officer, & all who served with him."
Deputy Brandon Sikes served as a deputy since 2018. His wife, Amber, was also employed at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, as per WRDW. Sikes's autopsy is scheduled for Monday, April 28.
James Blake Montgomery, according to Fox News Digital, was charged with felony aggravated assault in 2022. He was later exonerated, however. His body was transported to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy scheduled at an unspecified date.
