PATIENCE IS REQUIRED IN GBI SHOOTING PROBE

More than a week after the undercover drug officer-involved shooting
incident that claimed the life of an area pastor, the Toccoa-Stephens
County community remains a bit shocked and searching for answers.

How and why are the two chief questions left unanswered by almost 10
days of press conferences, news stories and video replays of the
tragic incident at a downtown convenience store.

The community, including, of course, the family of the late Rev.
Jonathan Ayers, the Lavonia pastor shot during the incident, demand
answers and want them quickly.

Those answers may not be immediately forthcoming, however.

An outside law enforcement agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation
(GBI), has been tasked with carrying out the investigation. That's the
first positive step in the entire process. The GBI is well-known
statewide as a competent, impartial and objective investigative agency.

The GBI has no immediate political ties to the Toccoa-Stephens County
community and should function properly in its role of unbiased
watchdog in the case. An uncovering of the truth, detailed description
of the facts and a thoughtful summation of those two elements should
be the goal of the GBI report.

Unfortunately, quickness in its completion may not be forthcoming.

Not only will the GBI be deliberate in its investigation – and
deservedly so – the agency is also adversely impacted by the state's
ongoing budgetary crisis resulting in furlough days by state workers.

And, the statewide investigative agency has been involved in some
recent high profile cases – eight killings in a single Brunswick
mobile home and the disappearance of a Blairsville woman – which have
not doubt put a strain on the GBI's manpower and resources.

In light of the sensitive nature of the Toccoa shooting and the drain
on GBI resources, we – the community – must show some patience and
confidence that the report, when it is completed, will give us the
answers we so sorely want.

Until that time, however, we should refrain from spreading gossip and
innuendo, stop broadcasting speculation as fact and retract those
fingers of blame extended before we've become enlightened as to all of
the details of the incident.

Once the GBI has completed its report and forwarded it to district
attorney Brian Rickman, we urge that it be made public so that all can
see and read what has been discovered and determined.

And, we urge Rickman to present the findings – whatever they may be –
to a Stephens County Grand Jury. Let 24 citizens of the community, our
peers and people with a worldview just like ours, determine for
themselves if the case should proceed further in the courts.

A very public review of the GBI's final report should remove all doubt
about its veracity and a grand jury decision will instill confidence
in the community that the correct course of action has been taken.

That can't be done overnight. Not even in 10 days. Certainly, we hope
within a few weeks.