GBI REMAINS MUM ON INVESTIGATION

More than one week following the officer-involved shooting in Toccoa and
the death of Jonathan Ayers, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is
continuing its review of the incident.

John Bankhead, director of public affairs for the GBI, said there have been
no new developments in the investigation as of yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 9).

"This is still an ongoing investigation, and there is no timetable," he
said in a phone interview Wednesday morning. "It takes as long as it takes
to do what we have to do."

An autopsy has been performed on Ayers, he acknowledged, but added that any
information from the examination would be included in the GBI's final
report and declined to discuss any specific findings.

Bankhead stated that, as far as he knew, Narcotic Criminal Investigation
and Suppression Team (NCIS) agents involved in the shooting did not undergo
drug and/or alcohol testing following the event.

"Not that I am aware of," he responded to inquiries on whether the agents
had been tested for either substance. "Why would there be that? That is not
a standard procedure unless there is some probable cause."

Although the GBI was made aware of the arrest of the female suspect Ayers
was seen with prior the shooting, Bankhead was not aware of what charges
had been filed against her.

"We are only looking at the circumstances surrounding the shooting," he
said, indicating that the activities prior to the shooting were not a part
of their investigation.

The unidentified woman has been described as the focal point of the NCIS
drug and prostitution investigation.

"We were asked to investigate (the shooting), and we have a structured
process we go through to make sure everything that is related to this case
is covered so the DA will have enough information to make a decision once
we complete our investigation," Bankhead said.