GBI Identifies Man Shot in Commerce Officer-Involved Shooting

COMMERCE, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the man critically injured in an officer-involved shooting in Commerce as 22-year-old Levi Long of Commerce.

According to the GBI, Long remains in critical condition following the incident, which occurred on the evening of Thursday, July 16.

The GBI said the Commerce Police Department requested the agency conduct an independent investigation after officers shot Long while responding to a reported domestic disturbance.

Authorities said Commerce police were initially dispatched around 6:30 p.m. to a home on Forest Avenue after receiving a 911 call reporting that a man had kicked in a door, threatened residents inside the home, and then fled to another residence in the 200 block of Orchard Drive.

Officers responded to the Orchard Drive residence at approximately 6:45 p.m. in an effort to locate the suspect.

According to the GBI, officers encountered Long armed with a screwdriver and moving rapidly toward them.

Investigators said officers repeatedly ordered him to slow down and stop, but he did not comply.

The GBI said Long then charged at the officers while holding the screwdriver in what was described as an aggressive manner.

Two Commerce police officers fired their weapons, striking Long multiple times.

Long was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition. No officers were injured during the encounter.

The GBI is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be submitted to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.