Douglas, GA (November 1, 2023) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Coffee County.  On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate the incident that occurred in the 800 block of Bowens Mill Road SE in Douglas, GA.

The preliminary information indicates the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office was conducting an ongoing investigation regarding fraudulent cargo trailer purchases. Deputies observed individuals in the process of making a fraudulent cargo trailer purchase and attempted to make an arrest. The individuals attempted to get away and hit a deputy with their vehicle.  During the incident, deputies shot James Jones, age 49, of Atlanta multiple times. Jones was taken to a local medical center and then to a hospital in Savannah.  Jones is in stable condition. The deputy was also taken to a local medical center before being life-flighted to a hospital in Savannah.  The deputy is currently in stable condition as well.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jones and Dexter Bowen, age 53, of Atlanta, GA, in connection to the incident.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103, or the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.