John Curtis Coates

Deadly force

Deputy Terry Miller tried to serve a warrant on Mr. Coates in the parking lot of a Chick-fil-A. Mr. Coates told the deputy he would not go with him or to jail. Deputy Miller called for back-up, and Fort Oglethorpe Officer Mitchell Moore responded. Both men encountered resistance from Mr. Coates. During a struggle with officers, Mr. Coates retrieved a handgun from his other's glove box and fired, striking Officer Moore in the back. Deputy Miller returned fire, fatally wounding Mr. Coates.