Family, friends, and members of the Macon, Georgia community are mourning the tragic loss of Joshua Epps, 35, following a deputy-involved shooting Saturday night on Bloomfield Road.
According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 5800 block of Bloomfield Road around 8:43 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting that a person had been injured. When deputies arrived at the residence, they located a 51-year-old man who had reportedly been attacked with scissors during a disturbance allegedly involving Epps.
Authorities say the situation escalated when deputies made contact with Epps at the scene. Investigators report that he was still armed with scissors and advanced toward a deputy despite repeated commands to drop the weapon. A deputy then discharged their firearm, striking Epps. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The 51-year-old victim was treated at the scene for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. No deputies were injured during the incident.
The sudden and violent nature of the event has left Epps’s family and loved ones in deep grief and disbelief. Those who knew him are remembering him as a beloved son, relative, and friend whose life held meaning far beyond the circumstances of his passing.
Neighbors described hearing multiple gunshots as the incident unfolded late Saturday evening, with flashing emergency lights quickly filling the street as law enforcement and first responders arrived.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to conduct an independent review of the shooting, while the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division is also conducting a separate investigation. Officials confirmed that the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both reviews.
Authorities say the incident appears to have stemmed from a domestic-related disturbance, though investigators continue working to determine the full sequence of events that led to the fatal encounter.
As the investigation remains ongoing, family and friends are left grappling with an unimaginable loss, holding onto memories and the love they shared with Joshua. The community continues to reflect on the tragedy while seeking clarity and healing in the days ahead.
Joshua Epps will be deeply missed and remembered by all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.