A 15-year-old male died Jan. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a traffic stop after he allegedly stole a Sandy Springs police vehicle from the officer’s driveway.
A news release from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 said they were informed about the theft of the vehicle from the officer’s driveway. The officer, who was related to the teen, was not home at the time.
By 7:11 p.m., the stolen patrol vehicle was found on Peachtree Parkway near Sharon Road.
According to the news release, Forsyth County uniform patrol deputies conducted a “box in” to stop the car near South Forsyth High School. Deputies saw the driver appeared to be bleeding from the head and was not responding to their commands.
The news release said when the deputies pulled the driver out of the car, they saw he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Lifesaving measures were started until Central EMS arrived and took over and transported the teen to a local hospital.
The 15-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office later identified him as a family member of the officer whose patrol car was stolen.
The case remains under investigation by the FCSO Major Crimes Unit. The Sandy Springs Police Department is cooperating and assisting in the investigation, the release said.
Individuals who are considering or know someone who is considering self-harm or suicide can call 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255).
