Gwinnett Police ID Slain Suspect as Buford Man

Gwinnett Police have identified the person who was shot dead Monday (May 13) in Buford in an officer-involved shooting as Rodney Pike, 38, of Buford.

According to a police news release, Pike had warrants issued for him out of Forsyth County.

The incident arose when police responded to a "wanted person located" call at 5307 Pass Court address in Buford about 3:39 p.m. Monday, police said. The caller also advised that Pike was a drug user and would run from police.

According to the Gwinnett Police news release:

Several officers arrived on scene at 3:58 PM. Upon sight of the officers, Pike fled on foot and entered a parked vehicle a short distance away. Pike refused to comply with the officers' verbal commands to stop. Officers attempted to use a Taser on Pike; the attempt was not successful in incapacitating him. Pike started the vehicle, began moving, and struck one of the officers. The vehicle was headed directly towards another officer. Two officers fired their duty weapons at Pike at 4:01 PM. He was struck by the shots and officers were able to gain control of the vehicle. The officers rendered first aid and CPR until EMTs with the Gwinnett County Fire Department arrived on scene. Pike was determined to be deceased at the scene. The officer struck by the vehicle was not seriously injured and was later taken to the hospital for evaluation.

This shooting is under investigation by the Deadly Force Investigation Team, and the officers who fired shots will be placed on administrative leave. These are standard procedures in officer-involved shootings, police said.

~ Buford Patch