MACON, Ga. — Caleb Hooten was shot and killed by a Peach County deputy last Wednesday.
Law enforcement held a news conference Monday and discussed how the GBI investigates use of force cases like Hooten's.
Sheriff Terry Deese revealed the name of the deputy who shot and killed Hooten.
Sgt. Hermes Rodriguez was the Peach County Sheriff's Deputy, and he's on paid leave while the Georgia Bureau of Investigations looks into the shooting.
"I will begin today to express to you that my heart hurts for Mr. Hooten's family," Macon-Bibb District Attorney Anita Howard said.
She says they wanted to update the investigation into Hooten's death and explain how the investigation works.
"I was informed by the GBI of the incident. I visited the scene that same day. I saw law enforcement attempting to speak with neighbors in the area," she explained. "There is much more evidence to collect and review. I won't be discussing any details of the evidence until this investigation is complete and turned over to my office."
Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese says their community is small.
"This is a tragedy that affects all of our community," he said. "We are truly sorry this happened, but now, we're at the point where we need to find out exactly what happened."
Deese said they want to be as transparent as possible.
"Our policy is, in a situation like this, we immediately, from the scene, call in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation," Deese said.
GBI Special Agent in Charge Jerry Jones says they conduct an independent investigation once the case gets turned over to them.
"With any 'use of force' scene, a crime scene specialist will begin an examination of the scene to collect all relevant evidence to that particular incident," Jones explained.
Then, agents will talk to witnesses who have heard or seen what happened. That includes cameras.
"That is the number one priority. Not only to identify witnesses but also to identify systems that captured this incident or any 'use of force' incident," he said.
That includes body cameras, car cameras and security cameras in the area.
Jones says they then interview officers involved or on the scene, and any evidence that needs analysis is sent off to their crime lab.
"We have a 90-day time frame for us to put together the investigation so we can turn over a thorough investigation for the district attorney to review and make their determination," Jones said. "For the families, we understand that that is never soon enough, but our goal is to be thorough."
So, while that may take some time, they ask the public for patience.
"We ask you to trust the process, and it will include checks and balances," Jones said. "These investigations deserve to be conducted where we're not rushing to conclusions."
Howard says they'll also need the public's help to do it.
"I know that in black and brown communities, trust in the judicial system isn't as strong as it could be. What's important, though, is that investigators cannot collect all the facts without participation from the public. I urge anyone with information to contact the GBI," she said. "The Hooten family deserves the truth."
Deese says it's for all of us.
"The judicial system wants what's right. Our community in Peach County wants what's right, and they deserve that."
All of them are working together in the small room to understand what happened to Hooten.
After the news conference, the Hooten family declined to be interviewed but said they just want justice for him and look forward to the investigation results.
The GBI says Hernandez tried to make a traffic stop, but Hooten ran from the car and drew a gun.
They say that's when Hernandez shot him.
If you have any information about what happened, you can call the GBI Perry office at 478-987-4545.