A man has been arrested after shooting at a Covington Police Department officer who was checking a business for intruders early Tuesday morning.
Dustin Todd Reddish, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after taking a shot at the officer with a shotgun. According to CPD Public Information Officer Daniel Seals, more charges could be pending.
The officer reportedly noticed what appeared to be a gap in the fence at Oconee Metal Recovery while on patrol in the area around 1 a.m. The business has been subject to recent thefts and the officer made entry through the fence and began searching the area for intruders when Reddish allegedly took a shot at him. According to Seals the shot came so close to the officer he could hear the pellets as they made impact behind him.
As the officer took cover he attempted to locate the shooter, but did not see anyone. He called for backup and while canvassing the area for the shooter, Reddish approached the officers and began speaking with them.
"After subsequent interviews we were able to ascertain that he was the shooter," said Seals, who urged gun owners to be more prudent when firing their weapons.
"If you don’t know whom you’re shooting at, then don’t fire," he said, adding that using deadly force to defend property is against the law in Georgia. State law allows the use of deadly force only in defense of life.
