Fugitive Wanted After Officer Shooting Caught on Camera On Labor Day
Investigators say 29-year-old Dalton Potter is armed and dangerous, he's wanted out of Texas and Georgia. Authorities are hoping someone calls in a tip leading to his arrest.
Image of Dalton Potter taken from a Whitfield County Deputy body worn camera just moments before Potter discharded his firearm [Georgia Bureau of Investigation]
On September 7, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations were called to a scene of an officer-involved shooting in Dalton, GA.
According to a press release, 29-year-old Dalton Potter, a fugitive out of Texas, was operating an SUV and large stolen trailer. He was pulled over by a local deputy. 11 Alive has Whitfield County Deputy Darrell Hackney's body worn camera video of the stop. It shows the deputy walking up to the driver's side window on the side of busy highway to the point where the suspect has his window rolled down and makes contact with Hackney. What the video does not show is Deputy Hackney being shot "numerous" times.
Hackney was struck by gunfire, but the vest he was wearing prevented the bullets from entering his body. Another deputy on the scene, along with Hackney according to the press release, returned fire toward Potter, but he managed to escape. 11 Alive says the incident happened within a matter of 22 seconds.
The vehicle Potter was driving was later found wrecked, and authorities believe Potter fled on foot near the Whitfield / Gordon County line along I-75. Another person allegedly involved was arrested during this incident.
GBI says 47-year-old Jonathan Hosmer, who was the second fugitive in this case also originally wanted out of Texas, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, bringing stolen property into the state, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. GBI agents say he was seen on a local home surveillance system in a neighborhood where the accident took place before he was apprehended.
Investigators say the trailer was later searched and explosives were found inside. As for those explosives discovered, authorities say they will be destroyed by the GBI Bomb Disposal Unit.
Potter stands 6 feet tall and weighs 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue tank top and gold-rimmed glasses and is wanted for aggravated assault. Please contact the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office if you have any information: 706-370-4900.
Read more: Georgia Bureau of Investigations, 11 Alive
