Suspect identified in Villa Rica officer-involved shooting

VILLA RICA, Ga. - Investigators have identified a suspect in an officer-involved shooting in Villa Rica Thursday morning.

Daniel James Daigle, 30, was caught by FOX 5 cameras around 5 p.m. being brought into the Carroll County Jail after being treated at an area hospital for a gunshot wound. Daigle was charged with drug possession, aggravated assault, and criminal damage. Villa Rica Police said he also had prior outstanding warrants in two separate counties for failure to appear for forgery charges and possession of methamphetamines.

The shooting happened around 4:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of Bankhead Highway. The Villa Rica Police Department said they got a call about a security alarm going off at the Easy Quick Shop gas station. Responding officers said they found a man, later identified by police as being Daigle, pumping air into his tires when they arrived.

Police said when the officers asked the man a question, he got into his car and started driving away, then toward them. The officers tried to stop the man, but he put the car in reverse, striking the air pump and a utility pole. That’s when police said the officers fired at Daigle.

One of the officers discharged his weapon, striking the suspect twice. The suspect was shot in the arm and leg.

Daigle fled the scene, but police said he was found around 9:30 p.m. by officers in a home located on Jennifer Lane in Temple, about five miles away from the scene. Police said they’re not sure whether or not he lived there, but he was found with a woman he knew.

Daigle suffered gunshot wounds to his right forearm and left leg. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released. He was then brought back to Carrol County and booked into jail.

No officers were hurt in the shooting, police said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation.