On October 28, 2021, while off duty, Officer Collin Merritt pointed a gun at his wife during a domestic disturbance at their residence. The Gainesville Police Department became aware of the incident on March 22, 2022, and requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to handle the investigation. Merritt was placed on unpaid suspension during the investigation. On March 29, 2022, the GBI filed charges against Merritt, including reckless conduct, simple assault, and pointing a gun at another. He turned himself in to the Hall County Jail on April 4, 2022, and was subsequently fired from the department based on the GBI’s findings.
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