News Summary
A man is in critical condition following a police shooting in Savannah. The incident unfolded when officers responded to gunfire in the area and encountered the suspect, who opened fire on them. After a standoff, the man was shot by an officer and later surrendered. Investigations are ongoing, with a separate inquiry by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation into the officer’s actions.
Savannah – A man is in critical condition following a shooting incident involving the Savannah Police Department that took place on September 19, 2025. The encounter began when officers responded to a 911 call about gunshots being fired in the 1200 block of Rogers St. The identified suspect, Lezar Christie, age 29, reportedly fired shots into a shed in his backyard before officers arrived.
Shortly after 2:50 p.m., officers located Christie in his backyard, where he began firing at them. This prompted the police to establish a perimeter around the area to monitor the situation and ensure public safety. During the confrontation, an officer returned fire, hitting Christie. Following being shot, Christie retreated into his home while maintaining a standoff with police.
A hostage negotiator then established contact with Christie, which eventually led to his surrender to SWAT officers outside his residence. Christie was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and is currently listed in critical condition after undergoing surgery. Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson confirmed the officers were responding to reports of an adult male firing shots. The Savannah Police Department is managing an aggravated assault investigation regarding the officer involved in the shooting, while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has initiated a separate, independent investigation into the event. Once the GBI completes its investigation, the findings will be forwarded to the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Eyewitness reports indicate that Christie’s actions were alarming, with one neighbor noting that officers communicated about a mental health crisis during the incident. Residents in Chatham County, particularly in the Shady Grove neighborhood, were advised to remain indoors for their safety until the situation was resolved.
In a separate but related note, the Savannah Police Department is also looking into a fatal shooting incident that occurred in the 1200 block of Rogers St. The details surrounding that case remain unclear as the identity of the deceased victim has not been disclosed, and no suspects have yet been identified. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020 or use the SPD mobile app to provide information anonymously.
This is not the first encounter Lezar Christie has had with law enforcement. In 2016, he was arrested during a three-day operation by the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes Task Force. His previous history raises questions about the circumstances leading to the current events.
As investigations are still active and ongoing, the Savannah community is reminded to stay informed about new developments regarding both the officer-involved shooting and the adjacent fatal shooting case. Police are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability throughout this process.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: SPD Responds to Fatal Shooting
- Wikipedia: Savannah, Georgia
- WJCL: Shady Grove Court Incident
- Google Search: Savannah Police shooting incident
- WSAV: Heavy Police Presence on Montgomery Street
- Google Scholar: Savannah officer-involved shooting
- WTOC: Savannah Mayor and GBI on Shady Grove Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
