Savannah man shot after pointing gun at officer during convenience store robbery, GBI investigates

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a man in critical condition early Monday morning.

Raheem Ashanti Williams, 29, of Savannah, was shot and injured during the incident, the GBI said no officers were injured.

The GBI is also investigating an armed robbery that occurred before the officer-involved shooting.

Officer encounters robbery in progress

At about 12:30 a.m. Monday, a Savannah Police Department officer stopped at the Parker’s convenience store located at 2004 Beech Street in Savannah. According to the GBI as the officer approached the store, the officer realized that Williams was robbing the store.

The officer saw Williams pointing a gun at the store clerk inside the store. Williams saw the officer and ran out the front door of the store.

As Williams was exiting the store, the GBI said he pointed the gun at the officer, and the officer shot at him. Williams fled the scene on foot and was found in a ditch a short distance away with a gunshot wound.

Williams was taken to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be given to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Savannah mayor reacts to shooting

Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson reacted to an early Monday morning officer-involved shooting.

“I am grateful that the Savannah Police Department officer involved in this incident was not injured, and I am thankful for the swift response that resulted in the suspect being apprehended," wrote the mayor on social media.

See his full statement below:

I am grateful that the Savannah Police Department officer involved in this incident was not injured, and I am thankful for the swift response that resulted in the suspect being apprehended.

According to preliminary information, as the officer approached the front of Parker’s Kitchen on Beech Street, he encountered an adult male actively robbing the store clerk at gunpoint. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.

At the request of the Savannah Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into this matter. It is critical that this investigative process be thorough, transparent, and allowed to proceed without speculation or premature conclusions. I trust that the GBI will adequately and thoroughly determine the facts and report them accordingly.

As with any officer-involved shooting, our community deserves a complete and impartial review of what occurred. We will allow that process to move forward.

Further updates and any additional information released regarding this incident will come from the GBI.

Mayor Van Johnson

Local hears the shooting unfold

WTOC spoke with a woman who lives across the street, who heard it all unfold.

“I got out of bed, but I got out of bed and I came by the front room window and I saw about four cops in the parking,” said Angela Gray. “I was like, I hope nobody didn’t get hurt.”

We reached out to Parker’s who tells us they don’t have any comment at this time as it’s an ongoing investigation.