06/03/2026
ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA.
On April 13, 2026, the Rockdale County 911 communications center received several calls of a naked young black male wearing a ski mask in the area of Avalon Pkwy and McCalla Rd, which is near Peek’s Chapel Elementary School.
Deputies were dispatched to the indecent exposure call, and Deputy Summers was the first to arrive and make contact with the individual. Deputy Summers gave verbal commands to the individual, but he refused to comply. Deputy Summers deployed his pepper spray, but it was not effective. Deputy Summers then deployed his taser which was also not effective. The individual charged toward Deputy Summers at which time Deputy Summers drew his service weapon and fired twice striking the individual. The individual continued to run toward Deputy Summers by this time Deputy Burrell had arrived on scene and deployed his taser. The individual fell to the ground and Deputies restrained the individual and started rendering aid with tourniquets until EMS arrived and started treatment.
The status of the GBI investigation is still open and active.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office cannot speak on what the family is claiming however our deputy’s followed policy and procedure in all levels of force used during this incident. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Professional Standards investigated the use of force and cleared both Deputies. Both Deputies have returned to duty.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office hosts annual online and in-person training for autism and de-escalation, mental health and first aid training, and diminished capacity training that all deputies are required to attend. Additionally, the RCSO has a full-time mental health clinician, and deputies meet with this person during their field training. The Sheriff’s Office hosts Crisis Response and Intervention Training as well as ethics and professionalism and use of force annually.
Body cam footage will be released after the GBI has closed their investigation.