GBI Probes Probation Officer Tiffany Bishop's Death

JACKSON, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking for answers after an apparent accidental shooting at a Butts County firing range that left a probation officer dead.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Tiffany Bishop, a staff member at the Georgia Diagnostic Prison in Jackson was killed on Wednesday after an apparent accidental discharge of a gun during a classroom training exercise.

John Bankhead of the GBI said, "For whatever reason, the instructor's weapon discharged and hit a probation officer who was in the class, and that probation officer has died."

Bishop, 24, was transported to an area hospital but officials said she died on the way.

The GBI and the Department of Corrections continue to investigate why the instructor used a live firearm in the training session.

"Everything at this juncture points to a very tragic accident," said Bankhead. "We're going to investigate thoroughly."

The instructor is said to be a veteran.

"He's traumatized by the whole thing; it's impacted him greatly," Bankhead said.

Instructors typically use a plastic firearm during demonstrations, according to Bankhead.

Colleagues gathered to escort Bishop's body home from the morgue Thursday.

"It's a show of respect and honor," Bankhead said.

The GBI said it will forward its investigation to the Butt's County District Attoey's office and the Georgia Department of Corrections to see if any charges will be filed.