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Fatal shooting probe continues
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Forsyth County News

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Authorities say suspect robbed nearby bank.

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Investigation continues into the fatal shooting of a suspected bank robber at a south Forsyth gas station.

James Matthew Kenny, 50, of Cumming was killed Aug. 17 by Forsyth County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brent Weeks after he refused to drop his weapon.

The shooting took place about 1:10 p.m. at a Texaco gas station on Hwy. 9 near the Midway community. That was minutes after a nearby Wachovia bank was robbed.

Sheriff Ted Paxton said Kenny got out of the van holding a gun. Weeks fired after the suspect refused to drop the weapon.

Authorities have not said how many times Kenny was shot, where the bullets entered his body or whether he fired on either of the deputies.

Paxton said Kenny’s family suspects he may have had a drug problem.

“Over the years, they tried to help him out,” said Paxton, adding that Kenney "just didn’t tell them" about his activities.

Members of Kenny's family have declined to comment.

Weeks and Deputy Greg Krause, who arrived at the gas station as the shooting occurred, have been placed on paid administrative leave, which
Paxton said is standard procedure in such situations.

The sheriff said the deputies will talk with internal affairs and a psychologist about the incident. It hasn’t been determined when either man will return to work.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the shooting probe.

Paxton has said investigators would review footage from video cameras in the patrol car and at the gas station.

Investigators found an undisclosed amount of money and other evidence from the robbery in the van.

Karleen Chalker, personnel coordinator with the sheriff’s office, said Weeks was the April 2007 employee of the month for the sheriff’s south precinct.

She said Weeks, a seven-year veteran of the department, also received commendations in 2007 and 2006 for conducting traffic stops that resulted in finding suspected marijuana and the arrest of an aggravated assault suspect.

Krause, who joined the force in 2008, did not fire his weapon.

The shooting Monday was the first involving a local sheriff’s deputy since May 2006, when a suspect was wounded after attempting to flee a roadblock in north Forsyth.

That man was later convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 on probation.

The sheriff said Kenny, who was traveling alone Monday, had a criminal history, though he was not sure how extensive.

Kenny used the van for his business, Professional Painting by James Kenny.

No one else was injured at the gas station or bank.

Officials with Wachovia have declined to comment on the investigation.