Statement from Macon Judicial Circuit
District Attorney Anita Howard Regarding the
Officer Involved Shooting of Caleb D. Hooten
On May 29th, 2024, I met with the family of Caleb D. Hooten to inform them that, after a thorough and independent investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and my Office, I have decided not to pursue criminal charges against Sgt. Hermes Rodriguez from the Peach County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the shooting death of Mr. Hooten on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
This decision was not made lightly, and I understand its profound impact on the Hooten family and our community. My heart goes out to Mr. Hooten’s loved ones during this difficult time, and I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
The extensive investigation concluded the shooting was lawful under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 17-4-20. In the interest of transparency, a detailed letter outlining the incident and the legal analysis has been sent to the GBI and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office and is available to the public.
Since receiving this case from the GBI in January 2024, our Office has maintained regular, open communication with a variety of Mr. Hooten’s family members via phone conversations, our Victim
Services team, and in-person meetings with myself and other members of my Leadership Team. Our most recent family meeting took place on May 2, 2024, in the District Attorney’s Office. We recognize the
emotional toll this situation has created for the Hooten family, and we have assured them and our community from the beginning that all decisions would be guided strictly by the evidence and the law.
As District Attorney my top priority has been and will continue to be public safety. In our own Circuit, just as in our State and in our Nation, we continue to see the unfortunate results of gun possession by
individuals who no longer have the right to bear arms because of the past crimes they have committed. Our entire community is made profoundly less safe by these reckless actions which, in an instant, can
place innocent lives in danger. I am urging this behavior to end, before we experience any more loss and grief in our community.
As a community, we must unite to heal and to support one another. My Office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that all members of our community are treated with fairness,
dignity, and compassion.
Read the complete press release here:
