GBI probes deadly Athens officer-involved shooting as body cam video is released

As the GBI investigation continues, Athens-Clarke County Police release the body-cam video of the officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of Juan Castellano. The 38 year-old carjacking suspect was killed on the morning of May 23, killed by Athens-Clarke County Police who say he refused their orders to drop his gun. The deadly shooting happened in Walker Park off Trail Creek Street on Athens’ east side.

From the Athens-Clarke Co Police Dept…

As a follow-up to the May 23, 2021, Officer-Involved Shooting, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department is releasing a compilation video of 911 calls, police bodycam footage, and surveillance video from the Walker Park incident.

In the video, Juan Joseph Daniele Castellano (38 YOA, Athens) is walking near park visitors with a weapon, pointing a weapon at visitors, and robbing a park employee. The video also includes the encounter with ACCPD officers.

As shown in the video, officers arrive and make contact with Castellano inside a carjacked vehicle. He exits the vehicle with a gun and begins making demands. Officers give multiple commands for Castellano to put his weapon down. Despite these requests, he does not comply. At one point, shots were fired. Castellano was struck and was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

Four ACCPD officers discharged their firearms in the encounter with Castellano: Lieutenant Greg Slaney, 20 years with ACCPD; Senior Police Officer Joseph Impeduglia, 18 years with ACCPD; Officer First Class Hunter Lance, 3 years with ACCPD; and Officer First Class Joshua Echols, 2 years with ACCPD.

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