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Man who shot Gwinnett County K-9 handler after high-speed chase sentenced to 110 years
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 1, 2026
· 3 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Florida man who shot a K-9 handler with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office after leading officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car has been sentenced to 110 years, 60 of which he’ll need to serve in prison, prosecutors said Tuesday.On June 10, 2022, Gw...
Key takeaway On June 10, 2022, Gwinnett County police responded to a Duluth shopping center after learning of a stolen car in the parking lot.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The sentencing of James Edward Perkins to 110 years, with 60 to be served in prison, brings a measure of closure to the Gwinnett County law enforcement community, particularly to Sgt. Neil Butler, the K-9 handler who was seriously injured in the shooting. This case highlights the dangers faced by local law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line every day to protect the community. The fact that Perkins was able to lead police on a high-speed chase through county roads, exceeding 80 mph at times, also raises concerns about public safety and the need for effective traffic management and emergency response systems. As the community moves forward, it will be important to continue supporting law enforcement officers like Sgt. Butler and his K-9 partner Cino, who risk their lives to keep the community safe. The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and serves as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar violent behavior.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Florida man who shot a K-9 handler with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office after leading officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car has been sentenced to 110 years, 60 of which he’ll need to serve in prison, prosecutors said Tuesday.On June 10, 2022, Gw...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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