GBI investigating fatal shooting involving SPD and armed suspect in area of MLK and Bay St

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 6:20 p.m.] Roads have reopened to traffic following the shooting in downtown Savannah near the area of MLK and Bay earlier today.

However, the GBI is continuing its investigation in the area and portions of the river walk are still closed to the public.

[UPDATE 5:34 p.m.] The GBI is sending a drone over the river to help collect evidence as they investigate today’s shooting.

The GBI investigation is standard policy. If a police officer seriously injures or kills someone, SPD policy says the investigation must be handed over to the GBI, while SPD’s Office of Professional Standards conducts an administrative review. The officer that fired the shot may be placed on administrative leave during that review.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident as SPD policy requires. Police Chief Lenny Gunther left Savannah’s City Council meeting Thursday, which was ongoing at the time of the shooting.

[UPDATE 4:56 p.m.] WTOC crews on the scene have seen members of the GBI Forensics team combing the area after the shooting in downtown Savannah earlier today, January 22.

We have also spoken with witnesses who described hearing a total of six gunshots.

“He put his hands in his pocket like this,” one witness said, gesturing downward. “And then he raised his left hand up [in the air] like this, and then he started walking away. And then when he got out of sight there, we heard the gunshots.”

When asked how many she heard, she said, “Six.”

The Savannah Police is still asking for locals to avoid the area as the investigation is ongoing.

[UPDATE 3:58 p.m.] Police have begun to remove caution tape and many law enforcement vehicles have left the area. The road is still closed at this time.

WTOC has obtained surveillance footage from Poe’s Tavern which shows the man officers allegedly shot and killed walking past the outdoor seating area.

[UPDATE 3:31 p.m.] The Savannah Police Department has provided a statement about today’s shooting in downtown Savannah:

Savannah Police are responding to a police-involved shooting in downtown Savannah. MLK Blvd. is closed between Bay Street and River Street.

The scene is active. The suspect is deceased, and no officers were injured. There is no current threat to the public.

To avoid congestion, please avoid the area and expect traffic delays while officers and the GBI conduct their investigation. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Savannah Police Department

[UPDATE 3:29 p.m.] Video provided to WTOC by witnesses on the scene who did not wish to be identified show what appears to be a man wearing a white T-shirt and holding a gun. They said they watched as this man walked down the road and later heard gunshots.

[UPDATE 3:09 p.m.] The Savannah Police Department has confirmed that this was a fatal shooting and have told WTOC that a statement will be provided shortly.

[UPDATE 2:49 p.m.] According to the Savannah Police Department, a shooting involving the SPD and a suspect with a gun has occurred in downtown Savannah earlier today, January 22, 2026.

There is currently no confirmation of any injuries from official sources, but multiple witnesses have reported hearing gunshots to our reporters on the scene.

Officials say the call originally came in as a report of a man with a gun on West Congress Street. The GBI is investigating. WTOC has reached out to the GBI and is working to learn more information.

[ORIGINAL STORY] There are reports of a man with a gun in the area of MLK and Bay Street, according to the Savannah Police Department.

Police are asking the public to avoid the area at this time. There is currently a heavy police presence in the downtown Savannah area.

We have seen Chatham County Sheriff’s Office vehicles, Savannah Police vehicles, Savannah Fire Department vehicles, and Chatham EMS vehicles.

WTOC is on the scene working to learn more about this situation and this page will be updated as more information becomes available.