GBI Reviewing Death Following Police Interaction in Cobb County

Authorities are investigating the death of 47-year-old Timothy Lyle Sheats of Dallas after a use-of-force encounter with Cobb Police on Tuesday.

At the request of the Cobb Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an independent review of the incident, which is standard procedure when a police encounter results in a civilian death. No officers were injured during the interaction.

According to preliminary reports, Cobb officers responded around 6:10 p.m. to a hit-and-run accident near the intersection of Powder Springs and Hurt roads, just off Barrett Parkway. Multiple 911 callers reported that a man at the scene was behaving erratically and running into traffic.

When officers arrived, they encountered Sheats, who claimed he had been shot. The officer reportedly did not see visible injuries and asked Sheats to get into a patrol vehicle for safety. Sheats allegedly refused and attempted to walk into traffic and enter passing vehicles. During the encounter, the responding officer used a Taser to gain control, with additional officers assisting in securing Sheats. He later became unresponsive, and EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The case is now under independent review by the GBI and will be submitted to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office once the investigation is complete. Anyone with information is asked to contact GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jastacia Cheeks.

The GBI’s investigation will determine whether Cobb officers acted in accordance with policy and if any further action is warranted. The department has pledged to cooperate fully with the review.