Crime
Law enforcement responding to multiple bomb threats at Seven voting precincts in DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections has reported bomb threats at seven locations, including five active voting precincts across the county.
To ensure the safety of voters and staff, the DeKalb County Police Department is conducting bomb sweeps at each of these sites.
The polling precincts affected are as follows:
- New Bethel AME Church at 8350 Rockbridge Rd., Lithonia
- New Life Community Center at 3592 Flat Shoals Rd., Decatur
- North DeKalb Senior Center at 3393 Malone Dr., Chamblee
- Reid H. Cofer Library at 5234 Lavista Rd., Tucker
- Wesley Chapel Library at 2861 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur
Additional locations, though not polling sites, have also received threats:
- Stonecrest (Old Sam’s Club), which is not an active polling location
- Salem Panola Library at 5137 Salem Rd., Lithonia
In response, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has assured the public, stating, “Every asset that we have will be deployed to ensure that every citizen who wants to vote will be given that opportunity and every vote cast will be counted.” DeKalb VRE Executive Director Keisha Smith added, “Rest assured that we are working quickly to ensure every voter will have an opportunity to cast their ballot despite these bomb threats.”
Voting at these affected locations is temporarily suspended as a precaution, and voting will resume once the police confirm the sites are safe.
The DeKalb County Law Department is also working to obtain an emergency order to extend voting hours at these impacted locations, ensuring every voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot.
Coffee County, Ala. — A homicide investigation is underway after a fatal shooting at a residence near Kinston on Monday morning, authorities confirmed.
According to Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd, deputies responded at approximately 7:51 a.m. to a reported shooting along County Road 483, just off County Road 89 in the Kinston area.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a deceased individual at the scene.
Officials later indicated the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between two individuals, though additional details have not yet been released.
Authorities identified the suspect as Joseph Levi Jackson, who was wanted in connection with the shooting death of his father.
Jackson was initially reported to have fled the scene on foot and was considered armed and dangerous.
The search involved multiple agencies, including the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including troopers and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents.
State tracking dogs were deployed as part of the coordinated search effort, particularly near Hattaway Road and Charolais Road, off Covington County Road 89.
Jackson was last described as wearing a black and red flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap.
Law enforcement urged residents not to approach the suspect and to contact 911 with any information.
Following an intensive search, Sheriff Byrd confirmed that Jackson was located and taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges but confirmed that the investigation is being led by ALEA.
The suspect’s temporary flight prompted Kinston School to delay its opening on Monday morning. School officials later announced a full closure for the day out of an abundance of caution.
In a statement, school administrators thanked local law enforcement for their swift and professional response, emphasizing that the safety of students, staff, and families remains their top priority.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue processing the scene and gathering additional information.