Columbia Region Replacement Brandon Sikes, a criminal activity reductions policeman with the division because 2018, was eliminated throughout a standoff along Interstate 20, according to Columbia Region Constable Clay N. Whittle on Sunday.
Sikes is endured by his partner, Brownish-yellow, that is likewise a worker of the constable’s workplace in Columbia Region, Georgia.
One more replacement, Gavin White, that is likewise a criminal activity reductions offering, was fired throughout the occurrence and required to the health center for therapy, Whittle stated.
Images of Columbia Region Replacement Brandon Sikes, a police officer eliminated in the line of responsibility on April 27, 2025, and Replacement Gavin White, that was hurt in the very same capturing occurrence. They are both Criminal offense Reductions replacements.
Columbia Region Constable’s Workplace
The dangerous experience started Saturday mid-day around 6:30 p.m. when both replacements tried to offer a momentary safety order to a suspicious determined as James Blake Montgomery. Throughout the experience, both replacements were fired.
Montgomery after that fortified himself inside a recreational vehicle, cops stated.
Montgomery attempted to repel under attack, cops stated, and the motor home collapsed right into an average obstacle on I-20, westbound following Leave 194.
Police swiftly bordered the lorry, they stated, releasing drones and robotics to examine the circumstance. Originally, they stated, it was vague whether Montgomery lived within.
After an extended standoff, Montgomery was discovered dead inside the motorhome, authorities stated. Constable’s authorities, assisted by neighborhood, state and government firms, found numerous pipeline bombs and bomb-making products inside the motor home, consisting of a minimum of one tool set up with a remote button, according to Whittle on Sunday.
Under the motorhome, private investigators discovered a number of lp cyndrical tubes, increasing problems regarding the capacity for a disastrous surge, the constable proceeded.
Replacement Andrew Brown was amongst those that involved Montgomery throughout the firefight. Whittle attributed Brownish with conserving the life of an additional injured replacement, Gavin White, by dragging him throughout 3 police car and driving him straight to Physician’s Healthcare facility while still under attack.
” Possibly conserving his life, according to the physicians,” Whittle stated.
Columbia Region Constable Clay N. Whittle revealed the fatality of Replacement Brandon Sikes on April 27, 2025. Throughout the capturing occurrence, which happened on April 26, an additional Ohio replacement, Gavin White, was likewise hurt.
Screenshot from video clip by ABC associate WJBF
Authorities likewise recouped an unlawfully changed completely automated AR-style rifle, countless publications, a number of pistols and boxes of ammo from the motorhome, they stated.
Private investigators likewise discovered containers including unidentified fluids, which can be bomb-making products or pertaining to Montgomery’s formerly recognized prohibited steroid procedure, Whittle included.
Both Sikes and Montgomery are going through postmortem examinations at the Georgia Bureau of Examination Criminal Activity Laboratory in Atlanta.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson uploaded a statement on Facebook on Saturday, stating, “Sad and wishing the Columbia Region Constable’s Workplace and our next-door neighbors in Columbia Region. Our petitions are with the households of the dropped, the whole Constable’s Workplace, and all that are regreting this unbelievable loss. We recognize their sacrifice and wish the challenging days in advance.” Columbia Region is positioned within the Augusta-Richmond Region city.
Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp likewise shared a statement on X on Saturday, supplying acknowledgements and stating that he is “shateringly advised of why those that put on a badge have actually greater than made our withstanding regard and gratitude.”
ABC Information’ Mariama Jalloh added to this record.
