PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — There's an update in a case we've been covering since October. That's when a Peach County deputy sergeant shot and killed 22-year-old Caleb Hooten.
Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard said the sergeant will not face charges in that shooting death.
"It was clear that this was a justified shooting," Howard said.
Deputy Sgt. Hermes Rodriguez will not be facing criminal charges for the fatal shooting of Hooten.
13WMAZ spoke with Hooten's father, Willie, by phone on Thursday. He said "I totally disagree" with Howard's decision. He said his family was also told something different than what Howard released on Wednesday but he would not elaborate any further.
The shooting happened in October last year, but Howard says the problem really started in 2022.
"In July of 2022 when he was first placed under a sentence and was not supposed to be in possession of a gun," Howard said.
Hooten was stopped by Rodriguez for a routine traffic stop. Dashcam photos show Hooten fleeing his car with a gun in his hand.
He was pursued by Rodriguez and ordered to drop the gun according to the district attorney's report. Hooten did not comply and Rodriguez fired 11 shots.
Two of the bullets hit Hooten in his back. He was pronounced dead at the hospital soon after.
Howard said her decision comes after an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation separate from the Peach County Sheriff's Office.
"All of those safeguards are important in these type cases, so that the community can be confident in the investigation," Howard said.
We spoke with Caleb's father, Willie Hooten, in October. Back then, he just wanted answers.
"We don't uphold any wrong. If Caleb was wrong, Caleb was wrong. But if Caleb was in the right, we want justice," Willie said.
Howard said she spoke to the family about her decision.
"I know this is not the outcome that they were hoping for but the family expressed that they were hopeful to start that process of healing," Howard said.
DA Howard asks people not to escalate situations when they encounter law enforcement.
"I would tell young men in my family…get home safe," Howard said.
Howard said during their independent investigation, Rodriguez was put on administrative leave from all patrol duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
The DA's office is calling this a tragedy for the Hooten family, law enforcement and the entire community.
According to Howard's report, Georgia law said officers can use deadly force when suspects have a dangerous weapon and pose a threat to them or to others.
You can read Howard's full report here.