GBI: Man shot by officer had fake rifle

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a man shot by an officer on the Silver Comet Trail Wednesday was carrying a fake rifle.

The Dallas Police Department and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Rambo Trailhead around 2 p.m. for a report of shots fired and a man with a rifle.

When they arrived, officers say they found Daron Holcombe, 26, of Rockmart, with a rifle in his hand. At one point, they say Holcombe pointed the rifle at them so Dallas police officer Phillip Burkett shot him.

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Holcombe was taken to Kennestone Hospital and is in critical condition.

After the shooting, officers discovered that Holcombe’s weapon was a replica air rifle with scope.

The GBI is continuing its investigation.