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Joe Baythavong

Age : 32

Gender : Male

Race : Asian

Date : 05/12/2026

Location : 1000 block of Hull Road

City : Athens

County : Clarke

State : Georgia

Agency : Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Officer(s) :Not disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 05/12/2026, officers with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to reports of a man firing a gun in the 1000 block of Hull Road. Officers encountered Joe Baythavong, 33, who was holding a firearm. Police said officers repeatedly ordered him to put down the gun. According to investigators, Baythavong pointed the gun at his own head and pulled the trigger. An officer also fired almost simultaneously. Baythavong died from his injuries. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate the incident. Baythavong was later identified by authorities and reporting indicated he was from Jackson County.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/officer-kills-armed-man-hull-road-athens
https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-05-20/gbi-investigates-officer-involved-shooting-athens-ga
https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/crime/2026/05/20/man-killed-in-athens-police-shooting-identified/90179483007/
https://wgtjradio.com/victim-of-athens-officer-involved-shooting-is-jackson-co-man/