BYRON, Ga. — A Byron Police Department officer has been charged with violating his oath and unlawfully assaulting a man accused of stealing a car, according to a recently filed indictment in Peach County Superior Court.
James Ryan Carroll was indicted on Friday after allegedly shooting a suspect during a police chase last year.
But according to the Byron Police Chief, Carroll is still on the job, and they think the Macon District Attorney's Office was wrong in their decision to indict.
According to a preliminary release from the GBI, a Silver 2018 Volkswagen Atlas was reported stolen out of metro Atlanta and on Oct. 23, 2023, the car was sighted in Peach County.
Authorities ended up locating the car, unoccupied, at the Byron McDonald's off Highway 49.
That's when the suspect, Kory Matyas Karpich, left the restaurant and entered the stolen car.
Carroll then approached and told Karpich to get out of the car, but Karpich refused. As he ignored commands, the GBI says Carroll then broke a window to enter the car.
Carroll would then use his Taser, which had little effect, the GBI said.
The GBI says Carroll parked directly behind the stolen car, and Karpich then began to drive, hitting McDoanld's building and the officer's patrol car.
That's when the GBI says the officer then shot the moving car multiple times, and Carroll shot Karpich.
However, nearly one year later, Macon District Attorney Anita Howard — who also serves as District Attorney for Peach County — filed charges against Carroll, alleging the shooting was not legally justified.
On Friday, Carroll was indicted on two charges: violation of oath by a public officer and aggravated assault.
Despite the indictment, Chief Wesley Cannon says that he believes that Howard is wrong to press charges. They say he is still employed with the city.
"It is my opinion that Ofc Carroll's actions were legally justified in this case and Ofc Carroll is still employed with the City of Byron," Cannon said.
The police department said they will have any additional comment.
Carroll has not been arrested yet, according to the police department.
If he is, the Byron Police Department says that would be handled by the Peach County Sheriff's Office.
