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Aaron Allen Patterson

Gender : Male

Age : 41

Race : White

Date : 09/07/2024

Location : Cameron Apartments

City : Clarkesville

County : Habersham

State : Georgia

Agency : Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Clarkesville Police Department, Demorest Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On September 7, 2024, Clarkesville Police responded to a welfare check at Cameron Apartments in Clarkesville, Georgia, after a report that Aaron Allen Patterson was possibly suicidal. Upon arrival, officers were unable to make contact with Patterson. A Demorest Police officer provided backup and spotted Patterson walking with a handgun. Patterson fled from officers, prompting further assistance from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
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Deputies located Patterson, now armed with a rifle. When officers attempted to communicate with him, Patterson turned toward them while holding the rifle. At this point, multiple officers fired their weapons, striking Patterson several times. Patterson was airlifted to a local hospital. He died from his injuries 13 days later, on September 20, 2024.
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Patterson, a U.S. Army veteran with PTSD who served in Iraq and worked as a postal carrier for ten years, left behind three children. Neighbors suggested that Patterson was experiencing personal difficulties and may have been in a mental health crisis.
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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an independent investigation at the request of the involved agencies. Upon completion, the findings will be reviewed by the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney. The exact number of officers who discharged their weapons and the number of shots fired have not been disclosed.
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NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality
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Last Update: 12/02/2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-10-10/gbi-investigates-officer-involved-shooting-clarkesville
https://nowhabersham.com/questions-remain-in-officer-involved-shooting-that-leaves-army-vet-dead
https://nowhabersham.com/gbi-identifies-man-shot-in-officer-involves-shooting-in-clarkesville