A man was killed by police in Athens on May 23, 2021 after he climbed out of a stolen vehicle holding a rifle and began making demands of officers.

Juan Joseph Daniele Castellano, 38, of Athens, was shot when he would not put down his weapon. Castellano was a suspect in a carjacking and armed robbery that occurred in the area of Walker Park minutes before he was confronted by Athens-Clarke County police officers.

Athens-Clarke police received multiple 911 calls around 10:40 a.m. concerning a man with a gun at the park. Additionally, he was suspected to have threatened several park attendees, including children, with a firearm.

In the footage provided, we see the Athens-Clarke County police officers confrontation with Castellano. Armed with a weapon, the officer communicated multiple times to drop the firearm in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Unfortunately, Castellano did not obey the officers commands and was shot.

Castellano was provided medical aid until medical transport arrived. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers or park attendees were injured during this incident.