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Written by: A. Smith
Published July 10, 2025 @ 8:11 AM ET
LAMAR COUNTY, Ga. – A Georgia Department of Natural Resources game warden shot and killed a man Tuesday afternoon after authorities say he charged at the officer with a knife.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the incident began after a homeowner reported a trespasser on their property near Highway 341 and Brent Road in Lamar County. When DNR rangers arrived, they encountered 28-year-old Dante Romearo Smith of Bowdon.
According to investigators, Smith was holding a knife and ran toward one of the responding rangers. The ranger fired his weapon, striking Smith, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
No officers were injured.
Smith’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies assisted at the scene.
“This afternoon, a DNR Game Warden was involved in an officer-involved shooting in Lamar County. The Game Warden is safe and uninjured,” the Department of Natural Resources said in a statement. “In accordance with standard protocol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to investigate.”
The GBI is leading the investigation. Once complete, the case will be turned over to the Towaliga Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.