Investigation Continues Into Officer-Involved Shooting in Banks Crossing

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues to look into a shooting in Banks Crossing Friday involving two Banks County Sheriff’s Deputies.

According to Sheriff’s department spokesperson Sgt Carissa McFaddin, two deputies approached a man wanted in several counties on drug charges at about 1:30p Friday afternoon on Banks Drive in Commerce near I-85.

“As the officers approached, the suspect, identified as 39-year old Malcody Dinges, pulled a gun and fired at the officers multiple times,” McFaddin said.  “Deputies returned fire, hitting Dinges twice.”

Dinges was airlifted to Athens Regional Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.  His condition is not known.  The Deputies were not injured.

According to McFaddin, Dinges was wanted on a parole violation.

“He was also under an active investigation by members of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office or ARDEO for the alleged distribution of methamphetamine,” she said.

ARDEO is a multi-county drug task force consisting of officers from the White, Lumpkin, Towns, Banks, Habersham, Stephens, and Rabun County Sheriff’s offices, the Georgia State Patrol and the GBI.

Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed said the investigation is continuing with the assistance of the GBI Athens office.