Chief Thomas Culpepper of the Cartersville Police Department has advised that officers of the Department responded this afternoon to a call regarding a man threatening to jump from the Church Street bridge. Officers arrive on scene at approximately 1:25 pm to find a male subject, later identified as Christopher Jason Gay, 37, of Cartersville, standing on the ledge of the bridge over the rail. Other law enforcement officers, Bartow County Deputies, fire, and EMS personnel arrived, and assisted with blocking streets and the bridge.
Chief Culpepper stated, “One of our officers, Cpt. Mark Camp, who is trained in hostage negotiations, took over and established communication with Mr. Gay while Mr. Gay was standing on the ledge of the bridge. Cpt. Camp was able to talk Mr. Gay into allowing him to come up onto the bridge to talk. After approximately 1 hour, Cpt. Camp convinced Mr. Gay to step back over the rail onto the street. At this time Cpt. Camp was able to get close enough to Mr. Gay to eventually rush Mr. Gay and tackle him. Other officers rushed over and assisted in taking Mr. Gay into custody without any further incident.”
Mr. Gay will be charged with Obstruction. Mr. Gay was transported to Cartersville Medical Center for evaluation. The investigation is ongoing.