GBI: Jamie Hood Had 10 Hostages, Not 9

ATHENS, Ga. -- Three days after a man accused in the shooting death of an Athens police officer surrendered to authorities on live television, Channel 2 is leaing more about the case from Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Veon Keenan.

Keenan authorized the live take down after Jamie Hood stated that he would not come out otherwise.

"I feel good about the decision considering that it worked out," said Keenan.

Keenan told GA Daily News that it was a risky situation, but a decision he made after extensive conversations with the Athens-Clarke County police chief and FBI negotiators.

"This was the best option for us to go forward with. Anything less than this they were convinced would result in violence," Keenan said.

Keenan said a peaceful surrender was the No. 1 goal after gunfire earlier in the week killed Officer Buddy Christan and wounded Officer Tony Howard.

On Monday, we leaed Hood was holding 10 hostages, not nine.

Keenan said one man ran before officers arrived.

"He saw an opportunity to get out a dangerous situation and then ran," said Keenan.

Keenan said GBI officials decided not to charge anyone who helped Hood evade capture. Channel 2 has also confirmed that investigators found a weapon inside the apartment and are testing it to see if it was used in a crime.

Keenan said there was a great deal of relief that Hood was arrested before Christian's funeral.

"It was a small thing, but it was important to the family. It was important to us," said Keenan.