By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Newly released body camera footage shows Warm Springs, Georgia, Sgt. Chris Fisher arresting Jimmie Steverson on Aug. 27, five days before Steverson fatally shot Fisher.
- Fisher stopped Steverson after smelling marijuana in his vehicle; Steverson admitted to drinking and became increasingly noncompliant during the stop.
- A physical struggle ensued when Fisher attempted to detain Steverson; Fisher deployed a Taser that only partially connected before ultimately handcuffing Steverson.
- Warm Springs Police seized several firearms and $5,000 from Steverson following the August arrest.
- Steverson was released and, five days later, on Sept. 1, fatally shot Fisher as he sat in his patrol cruiser before fleeing; he was later found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and died.
WARM SPRINGS, Ga. — Body camera footage shows Warm Springs Police Sgt. Chris Fisher arresting the man who would fatally shoot him five days later, according to video reported by WRBL.
The footage shows Fisher stopping Jimmie Steverson on Aug. 27 after smelling marijuana coming from his vehicle. Steverson admitted during the stop that he had been drinking and became increasingly noncompliant as the encounter continued, according to WRBL. When Fisher attempted to detain him, a physical altercation broke out; Fisher attempted a leg sweep but fell to the ground, pulling Steverson down with him, and the two exchanged strikes while grappling.
Fisher deployed his Taser as Steverson tried to flee, but only one prong struck Steverson, in the right earlobe, rendering it ineffective. Fisher ultimately handcuffed Steverson, who was taken for medical treatment before being booked into jail. Warm Springs Police seized several firearms and $5,000 in connection with the arrest.
Five days later, on Sept. 1, Steverson fatally shot Fisher while the officer sat in his cruiser completing an unrelated traffic stop, then fled the scene, prompting a manhunt. He was later found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and died from his injuries.