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Written by: E. George
Published January 29, 2025 @ 1:10 PM ET
TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. – A former deputy from Towns County, 26-year-old Austin Bradburn, has been arrested on multiple charges after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation concluded that he had fabricated a story about being shot during a traffic stop in December 2024.
Bradburn, who had been with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, claimed to have been shot during a traffic stop on the morning of December 13, 2024. According to his account, he had pulled over a silver Honda sedan for a missing license plate on Plottown Road in Young Harris.
In his report, Bradburn stated that the driver, described as a white male about six feet tall, exited the vehicle and approached him. Bradburn then alleged that a confrontation ensued. He stated he drew his Taser but then switched back to his firearm when the situation quickly escalated. The suspect then grabbed his gun, leading to a struggle in which seven shots were fired, and Bradburn was hit twice in the leg. According to Bradburn, “one was a graze, but the other bullet went straight through.”
The deputy stated that the suspect fled the scene, leaving behind the gun, and evaded capture. Multiple law enforcement jurisdictions rushed to the scene to aid the investigation and search for the suspect.
Bradburn was airlifted to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. From his hospital bed, he told Fox 5, “I just want to catch this guy and get him caught, so no other officers are put in danger,” Bradburn said. “If he’s willing to do that to an officer, there’s no telling what else he’s capable of.”
In their initial search for the suspect, authorities described the alleged shooter as a white male, approximately six feet tall, 170 to 180 pounds, wearing a black beanie, gray hoodie, and black pants, and driving a 2010 or similar silver Honda sedan. However, after a thorough investigation, the GBI concluded that Bradburn’s story was fabricated.
The agency revealed that the evidence uncovered during their independent investigation did not support Bradburn’s claims. In fact, the investigation suggested that Bradburn had made multiple false statements and had violated his oath of office not only in Towns County but also in neighboring Union and Hall counties.
As a result of these findings, Bradburn was arrested and charged with filing a false report of a crime and violating his oath of office.
The case has raised broader concerns about the impact of false reporting, especially when law enforcement resources are diverted toward investigating non-existent threats. It remains unclear how Bradburn actually received his injuries. The GBI has declined to disclose specific details about the evidence that led to their determination that Bradburn’s claims were untrue, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
As the investigation continues, the GBI has urged anyone with relevant information to call 1-800-597-TIPS(8477) or submit their tip online.