Officers hospitalized after fatal Savannah shooting, GBI investigating

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating after Savannah police said two officers were involved in a fatal shooting with a man Tuesday morning near Bull Street and Victory Drive.

Savannah police said the shooting happened just after 7:15 a.m.

The shooting left a 35-year-old man dead, according to the GBI.

The GBI said Savannah police requested the investigation after Nicholaus Oxendine, of Savannah, was shot and killed.

What investigators said happened

According to preliminary information from the GBI, two Savannah Police Department officers were on patrol at about 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, when they saw Oxendine loitering around a closed business near the intersection of East Victory Drive and Bull Street. The GBI said the officers stopped to question Oxendine. During questioning, Oxendine attacked one of the officers, then attempted to attack the other officer.

The GBI said the second officer shot Oxendine, ending the attack.

EMS was called to the scene, and Oxendine was taken to an area hospital, where he died.

Both officers were also treated at an area hospital for minor injuries and later released, according to the GBI.

Investigation continues

Oxendine’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Pooler for an autopsy.

The GBI said it will conduct an independent investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson responds to call

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said a call from Police Chief Lenny Gunther sent him to the scene. Johnson said the two female officers and the suspect were not there when he arrived, so he went to the hospital to visit the officers.

Johnson said the officers had minor injuries. Tuesday afternoon he said he could not provide information about the suspect beyond that the suspect was shot.

Mayor says officers were doing their job

Johnson, a former officer, said the officers were doing their job.

“They are out patrolling, I want our police officers to be encouraged to act when they see something. If that means to ask questions or to interact or engage an individual, then I think that they should be able to do that. I think the takeaway from this is that the system works,” Johnson said.

This is the fourth time this year a Savannah police officer has shot someone.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case Tuesday morning.

Witnesses describe scene near Bull Street

Witnesses said an argument started closer to the Popeyes at Bull Street and East 41st Street.

Video sent from someone near Victory Drive and Bull Street showed a person being taken on a gurney into an ambulance.

Witnesses said a man was arguing with an officer before shots rang out.

People living and working nearby said they have seen crime in the area, but seeing crime tape around the corner was still a shock.

“There’s a lot going on in our world today, not knowing the whole situation makes it pretty scary,” said Jo Judy, who works at Nomad Society.

Judy said she was glad to see the GBI at the scene.

“They take their work really seriously and will be able to give us a good, clear picture of what happened eventually,” Judy said.

Andy Bettag, who lives near the Victory and Bull intersection, said he loves his neighborhood and credited the businesses, bars and restaurants in the area.

“It does happen. We hope that it happens less and less,” Bettag said.

Bettag said hearing gunshots is common, but he hopes positive growth in the city continues.

“It’s certainly sad, it’s sort of a reality of modern day living and we hope everyone is okay,” Bettag said.

Some tourists visiting from Washington said they were warned about gun violence in the city.

Bettag said the incident should not deter people from exploring the area.