Columbia County Deputy Killed, Another Injured in Shooting During Traffic Stop

On April 26, 2025, a routine traffic stop in Columbia County, Georgia, turned deadly when a suspect opened fire on two deputies. One deputy was killed, and another was critically injured, prompting a large-scale response from law enforcement agencies across the region. The suspect, James Blake Montgomery, was located in an RV near Mile Marker 194 off Belair Road. Authorities surrounded the RV, using explosives and drones in an attempt to safely apprehend him.

The incident led to the closure of Interstate 20 in both directions, causing significant traffic disruptions. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing a massive influx of law enforcement vehicles in the area. Support and condolences poured in from various agencies and officials, including the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

Montgomery had a history of run-ins with the law, including a previous charge of aggravated assault in 2022, for which he received first offender status and was later exonerated. An alert to law enforcement had said he was suspected of making pipe bombs and converting weapons to be fully automatic.

The suspect was identified as James Blake Montgomery.

The shooting occurred during a traffic stop near the Jimmie Dyess/Belair Road exit of I-20 in Columbia County, Georgia.

After a standoff, the suspect was deemed 'no longer a threat' by authorities.

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