Accused Shoplifter Killed By Georgia Deputy After Struggle

MACON, Ga. (AP) — Authorities say a suspected shoplifter was acting erratically and may have been on drugs when he got into a fight with a Georgia deputy who fatally shot him.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent J.T. Ricketson tells news outlets investigators are awaiting an autopsy to help determine whether 57-year-old Larry D. Matthews had drugs in his system Friday afternoon when he fought with Bibb County deputy Gregg Ussery in Macon.

Matthews was accused of shoplifting from a Family Dollar store.

Ricketson says Ussery first shot Matthews with a stun gun, but the suspect pulled the prongs off him. The deputy then used pepper spray, but Matthews grabbed the bottle and sprayed the deputy, prompting Ussery to shoot Matthews.

The races of those involved in the shooting are unclear.