Grandfather of Deonte Giles speaks out: 'Grandson was not a murderer'

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - A family emotional as they speak about Deonte Giles, a murder suspect hit and killed by police in Columbus on Thursday.

The Grandfather of Deonte Giles, Wiley Upshaw, says the family is not coping well with the loss, but while they are mourning, they still want to make sure Giles is remembered in the right way.

"It's a time for death everywhere you go in the world, but a killing like this, you know, that ain't right, that ain't right," says Upshaw.

Upshaw, the grandfather of 22-year-old Deonte Giles, is remembering his grandson who he says died an unnecessary death.

"You wear the badge. It says to serve and protect, not kill," says Upshaw.

Police say Giles was a murder suspect wanted in connection to a deadly Columbus shooting on Ticknor Drive in April.

He was killed after being hit by a police officer following a high-speed chase that ended on Cusseta Road.

"The officer that did this, I think he got rational. He took matters into his own hands. It took police cars to kill one little child. I think that's wrong," said Upshaw.

Upshaw says his grandson, isn't a murderer and that's not the lasting memory or picture he wants anyone to have but rather, remembering Giles as a loving son and friend who had a full life ahead of him.

"I'd like him not to be remembered as being no murderer. He's not no murderer. That's what I want to remember him as," says Upshaw.

Upshaw says he last saw Giles on Monday before the accident.

He says he told Giles he loved him and gave him a hug.

News Leader 9 reached out to Columbus Police and Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

There has been no information on whether the officer has been placed on administrative leave following the accident.

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