Bartow SWAT officer shoots man accused of pointing gun at police

CARTERSVILLE, GA – A 60-year-old Adairsville man was shot and killed by a Bartow County SWAT officer after he was accused of pointing a long gun at authorities and threatening them.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Bartow officers were called to a home on Wesley Mill Drive on Sunday where Chris Cochran was accused of threatening his wife and a crisis intervention team who were present.

Authorities said Cochran's wife and the response team sought shelter at a neighbor's home, where officers offered them protection.

Cochran, who authorities said kept a large number of guns in his home, was accused of breaking windows and threatening to kill others after running into his home.

The SWAT team was then deployed to assist on the scene. Authorities said Cochran pointed a long gun out of a second-story window and continued to threaten officers and witnesses.

A SWAT officer then shot Cochran, who was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. His body will be taken to the GBI medical examiner's office, where an autopsy will be performed, authorities said.

Once the GBI investigation is complete, the case file will be turned over to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.