BIBB COUNTY — The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam video of the moments that led up to Stephen Fossett’s death. The video and photos shared below may be disturbing to some.
Fossett was an inmate at the county LEC in May 2024. He died at a hospital following a medical emergency and tasing incident involving multiple deputies. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation ruled Fossett’s death a homicide. On April 9, the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita R. Howard announced she would not be filing criminal charges against the deputies who were present.
The nearly 10-minute-long video opens with three deputies walking down a hall with their tasers already drawn. Fossett is first seen on the floor of what appears to be a locker room in an administrative hall. Deputies begin to shout “Get up!” while others insist he is left on the floor.
Within 32 seconds, at least three deputies deploy their tasers on Fossett. One deputy can be heard saying “stop.” Fossett, still on the ground, is dragged by one deputy from the closet to the hall, kicking his legs. Deputies continue to tase him with at least one deputy verbally urging the others to “keep tasing him.” During this time, Fossett is not speaking but can be heard screaming, grunting, and breathing heavy. According to an investigative report released by the D.A., forensic analysis of the tasers showed that despite multiple trigger pulls, the combined effective deployment time was 13.24 seconds, which was within the 15-second threshold recommended in training.
The deputy whose body camera the video belongs to, attempts to handcuff Fossett. Soon, a man deputy begins commanding that Fossett “release,” then “roll.” He is also yelling expletives, calling 41-year-old Fossett a m*****f***** and a b****. At this point, at least three deputies are holding the inmate’s head and neck, working to push his head to the floor. Fossett is cuffed but resists. Deputies comment that he is grabbing at their ankles and/or feet. According to the D.A.’s report, Fossett was under the influence of K2, a synthetic marijuana.
Within seconds as many as eight deputies can be seen in the frame, four are actively engaged with Fossett. Someone suggests Fossett be ziptied.
Six minutes into the video a nurse re-enters the scene while Fossett is being restrained on the floor. It’s unclear what she’s checking Fossett for.
In the final minutes of the body cam video, Fossett is placed on a stretcher.
His ankles are shackled. Deputies are discussing the ordeal while positioning him on the stretcher. He is no longer moving. Multiple deputies give instructions for his head to be lifted up.