In the fall of 2018, a routine call about a suspicious vehicle in a Snellville, Georgia, neighborhood ended in the tragic death of 30-year-old Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan Toney. It was a Saturday afternoon, just six days after Officer Toney's birthday, when he and other officers responded to a report of a car parked near Shiloh Middle School. As the officers approached the vehicle, shots were fired from inside, striking Toney.
His fellow officers returned fire and pulled him to safety, but he later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
A massive manhunt was immediately launched for the occupants of the vehicle who fled the scene. The investigation quickly led to the identification of two teenage suspects: 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard and 19-year-old Isaiah Pretlow. Authorities believed Maynard was the one who fired the fatal shots. Pretlow, who was accused of driving the car away from the scene and later pointing a gun at another officer during the pursuit, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals late that same night.
The search for Maynard continued for two days, creating a tense atmosphere in the Snellville community. The extensive search involved numerous law enforcement agencies, including SWAT teams and K-9 units. The manhunt came to a dramatic end on a Monday morning when a tip led officers to a shed behind a residence. Inside, they found Tafahree Maynard. According to police, Maynard refused to comply with commands and, after a Taser was deployed without effect, he brandished an 'edged weapon,' which was later identified as a lawnmower blade. An officer then shot and killed Maynard at the scene.
In the aftermath, Isaiah Pretlow faced legal proceedings. He was initially charged with aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a firearm at an officer during the pursuit. The community mourned the loss of Officer Toney, who had been with the Gwinnett County Police Department for nearly three years and was remembered as a dedicated and jovial officer. Originally from Southern California, Toney had found a new home and a sense of purpose in Georgia, where he was remembered for his commitment to the community he served.
