Man suspected of shooting, critically injuring officer in custody

ATLANTA, Ga. (WANF/Gray News) - A north Georgia police officer is in critical condition after he was shot while on duty overnight.

The incident happened in McCaysville, a Fannin County city near the Tennessee border. The officer, identified as Captain Brantley Worley, was shot in the throat and airlifted to a hospital in Chattanooga.

Police dispatch said officers initially responded to a call about a suspicious car on Central Avenue at around 11 p.m. on Friday. Captain Worley was later shot in the 350 block of 1st Street, less than a mile away.

According to McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley, Worley has a broken neck and is suffering from brain bleeding, as well as fluid in the lungs.

A Blue Alert was issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to help find the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Timothy Craig Ramsey.

A Blue Alert is used to tell the public about a suspect accused of killing or seriously hurting a law enforcement officer. The alert was sent out to cell phones in Fannin, Gilmer and Union counties.

Chief Earley added that police have run into Ramsey before. Neighbors told Atlanta News First that Ramsey was a problem in the neighborhood, with one calling him “aggressive and violent.” Another said Ramsey once shot out his windows, believing the neighbor had killed his cat.

Law enforcement raided Ramsey’s house on Kingtown Street Friday night, but they didn’t find him there.

Earley says law enforcement then received a tip from someone who recognized the suspect late Saturday afternoon. Police found him in a wooded area near Bethel Church on Bethel Church Road.

Ramsey was taken into custody without incident. Chief Earley said he could not confirm if he still had a firearm on him when arrested.

Ramsey faces charges of aggravated assault with intent to murder a police officer.

“Captain Worley is a dedicated officer who has faithfully served this community, and we are asking everyone to keep him, his family, and our department in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” he said in a statement.

Worley was promoted to Captain in July and has 15 years of law enforcement experience.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp took to social media to share his sympathy for the injured officer.

“Marty, the girls, and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for this officer who was shot in the line of duty, as well as all law enforcement who face this kind of danger on a regular basis to protect their communities,” he said.

Several local and federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, have been called to help with the case.