Savannah man injured in officer-involved shooting served time for voluntary manslaughter
The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles has confirmed that the man injured during an officer-involved shooting near the Home Depot on Victory Drive on June 30 was released on parole in 2022 after serving 8 years and 8 months of a 15-year-prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter.
According to a press release posted on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) website, Gregory Eugene Griffin, 31, was injured after Savannah Police (SPD) officers “attempted to conduct a stop on a vehicle based on information provided by the Chatham County Police Department” at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday near the entrance of the Home Depot, 1907 E. Victory Drive.
CCPD listed Griffin as a suspect in a homicide investigation and as driving the vehicle, according to the GBI press release. Griffin attempted to drive away and a short chase ensued. He was traveling in the wrong lane of traffic on East Victory Drive and hit another vehicle. Griffin got out of his vehicle and began to run.
“Officers began to chase Griffin, at which time he pulled out a firearm and shot at the officers. Three officers fired their guns and hit Griffin,” the GBI press release states.
No officers were injured in this incident. Officers rendered aid to Griffin, and he was taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center for treatment.
Per SPD policy, the GBI was called and took over the investigation of the incident. All further information pertaining to this case will be released by the GBI.
CCPD spokeswoman Betsy Nolen stated via email that CCPD will not release details of the homicide investigation involving Griffin at this time.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
The latest officer-involved shooting comes less than a month after an SPD police officer shot and injured a man on June 17 at the 4300 block of Ogeechee Road.
More: Attorneys for the family of man killed by Savannah police officer in 2022 file lawsuit
More: GBI investigating officer-involved shooting on 4300 block of Ogeechee Road
More: Chatham County District Attorney's office closes four officer-involved shooting cases
Griffin previously charged with voluntary manslaughter
On Aug. 28, 2013, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Griffin for felony murder, malice murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Griffin had been charged with the June 9, 2013, murder of Rasheen Alexander on Eagle Street at Augusta Avenue. According to media reports, Griffin turned himself in and claimed he shot Alexander in self-defense after Alexander pulled a gun on him, although police said they did not find a weapon with Alexander.
In mid-April 2014, a jury returned guilty verdicts on the charges of felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on the count of malice murder, but did find Griffin guilty of voluntary manslaughter, according to a review of court records.
In early July 2014, Griffin was sentenced to 20 years with 15 years to serve on the voluntary manslaughter conviction and five years probated for the firearm counts. According to media reports, a visiting Chatham County Superior Court Judge dismissed the felony murder conviction and sentenced Griffin for voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
On Feb. 2, 2022, Griffin was paroled after serving 8 years and 8 months of the 15-year prison sentence, Steve Hayes, director, Office of Communications for the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, confirmed via email.
Andrew Houser, public Information officer for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, replied in an email that "Griffin is currently under the supervision of our department and we are aware of his involvement in an officer-involved shooting incident that took place in Chatham County, Georgia on June 30, 2024.”
This is a developing story.
Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah man injured in officer shooting served time for voluntary manslaughter
