CALHOUN, GEORGIA – A burglar was shot and killed by police officers who responded to a reported burglary in progress at a home. The incident occurred early Thursday morning on Adair Street in Calhoun.
Chief Tony Pyle said that CPD officers were dispatched to the home and encountered a burglar armed with a knife inside the residence, and the man was fatally shot by officers. As is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting the investigation into the incident.
“We have contacted the GBI and requested an independent investigation be performed by the agency,” Pyle said. Once complete, GBI will turn over the case file to the Gordon County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Early Thursday evening the GBI released a statement on the investigation. Their preliminary information indicates that CPD officers responded to 121 South Adair Street in reference to a burglary in progress at approximately 3:45 a.m. The caller also reported that the burglar was armed with a knife.
Responding officers encountered Jose Brito Lopez, 37, of Calhoun, inside of the residence. Lopez failed to comply with the officers’ commands to show them his hands and he continued to advance towards the officers. Lopez was tased by one of the officers, but it had no effect. Lopez continued to advance towards the officers and was shot by one of the other officers at the scene that he was advancing towards. He died at the scene as a result of the gunshot wound. None of the officers or occupants of the home were injured.
