Gwinnett County Jail reopens Tuesday after shooting involving 'agitated' man

Man shot by deputies returning fire at Gwinnett Jail

A man was injured in a gun battle with deputies after the Gwinnett County sheriff says the man pulled out a gun from his car and opened fire on deputies in front of the Gwinnett County Jail.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office confirmed gunfire was exchanged between an unidentified man and an officer outside the Gwinnett County Jail located at 2900 University Parkway late Monday afternoon. Sheriff Keybo Taylor held a press conference Monday evening to explain the situation.

Sheriff Taylor said the man had a previous encounter with law enforcement on Monday before the shooting. Witnesses said he was acting erratically and Sheriff Taylor said he had no idea why the man was allegedly so "agitated" when he showed up at the jail.

Once confronted by deputies, Taylor said the man went to his car and retrieved a gun before opening fire.

The responding deputies returned fire, hitting him. The suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His current condition is unknown.

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A heavy law enforcement presence was seen outside the Gwinnett County Jail on Oct. 7, 2024. (FOX 5)

The jail temporarily stopped accepting new intakes on Monday night, but announced early Tuesday morning that it had reopened.

"We want to assure the community that the situation is under control, and there is no ongoing threat to the public’s safety," a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said via social media.

When asked why the suspect was at the facility in the first place, Sheriff Taylor said he did not have more information to share.

No deputies were injured during this exchange. The sheriff also said that he plans on having counseling available for the deputies involved and anyone else who may need it.

FULL PRESS CONFERENCE