The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Statesboro, GA. The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Saturday, January 7, 2023. One man was shot and killed. No deputies were injured in this incident.
Preliminary information indicates that on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at approximately 3:15 p.m., two deputies responded to a 911 call which indicated that a male resident, later identified as Jules Robert Lee, age 32, assaulted his father in a mobile home park located at 118 Bird Road, Lot #9 in Statesboro, Bulloch County, GA. Upon arrival, deputies observed the father, who is disabled, with visible injuries. Deputies attempted to take Lee into custody, at which time he resisted, and a fight happened outside the home. During the fight, deputies deployed their tasers, which was ineffective. Lee pulled a firearm and fired his weapon at the deputies. Both deputies fired shots, hitting him. Lee was taken to a local hospital where he later died. Both deputies were uninjured. Lee’s father was treated by EMS at the scene for minor injuries.
The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy on Lee.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review
Previous Criminal Record
According to Bulloch County court records, Jules Robert Lee had a handful of cases in Bulloch County State Court before the January 2023 incident.
May 28, 2014 – Possession of Marijuana (Less than 1 oz), after two Drug & Alcohol evaluations through a 12-month probation term, the charge was ‘conditionally discharged.’
March 21, 2017 – Possession of a Drug-Related Object to which he entered a plea of Nolo Contendre and was sentenced to probation and an Alcohol & Drug Evaluation.
November 19, 2019 – DUI, Failure to Maintain Lane – Lee entered a guilty plea to the charge of DUI. He was sentenced to 12 months probation (at $44/month), a $1,038 fine, 40 hours of community service, complete a Risk Reduction Panel, and complete a Drug & Alcohol Evaluation with any recommended counseling. In July 2021, his probation officer ask the court to suspend probation due to good faith and financial hardship.
May 20, 2020 – Simple Battery Charge. The case was dismissed in conjunction with his guilty plea and punishment when the 2019 case was adjudicated.
As previously reported:
I knew him, and he was one of my friends. We were close in high school, but lost touch afterwards. I hate that he did something like this that wound up getting him killed.