Police say a Savannah , Georgia , police officer killed a handcuffed , armed man Thursday as the man tried to break out of a patrol car , a shooting that stirred up citizens and prompted the mayor to acknowledge that the community has `` many questions . '' The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. in the historic coastal city , Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Chief Julie Tolbert said . Tolbert has asked that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation look into the shooting . The GBI , based on its preliminary investigation , says officers arrested 29-year-old Charles Smith on outstanding warrants and handcuffed him behind his back . Smith was put into a police car , where he managed to move his hands to the front of his body , and he kicked out one of the vehicle 's windows , authorities said . `` The officers said , as Smith attempted to exit the patrol car , they saw that he had a firearm , '' the GBI said in its statement . `` This encounter resulted in Smith being shot and killed at the scene . '' A firearm was later found under Smith 's body , the GBI reported . Dozens of people gathered in a Savannah neighborhood at the shooting scene , which was cordoned off by police tape . Some of them cried and hugged , a few appeared outwardly angry , and a handful carried signs to voice their views , video from CNN affiliate WTOC shows . At one point , many of them -- including some children -- joined hands in a circle . `` The amount of people in the street '' spurred the Chatham Emergency Management Agency to send out automatic calls to warn staff and volunteers about a `` potential civil unrest situation , '' agency spokeswoman Meredith Ley told CNN . She added that such notifications are standard for times like a parade or a marathon when there 's a situation with `` a large amount of people that could escalate quickly . '' Savannah Mayor Edna Branch Jackson said that after talking to `` the victim 's family '' and West Savannah residents , she shares `` many of ( their ) questions '' about the incident , concerns she has relayed to police officials . `` When the answers come , we will be open , transparent and forthcoming , '' vowed Jackson , who said in a statement that she is `` distressed '' about the shooting . `` We will remain in continuous communication with the family . For now , I hope the citizens of Savannah will join me in remaining calm and patient as authorities gather the facts . '' Speaking to people congregating in West Savannah , the mayor said : `` This will be cleared up . This will be cleared up . We do n't need anything to happen . And we are going , we are going to keep the family and the community informed of everything that is going on . Now , does that sound fair ? '' Tolbert told those gathered that the investigation is `` going to take time . '' In the meantime , `` What we are asking you to do is not jump to conclusions , not make rash decisions , not ... do something that will cause you problems . '' The GBI pledged it will `` thoroughly investigate this incident to determine exactly what occurred . '' That includes an autopsy on Smith to be conducted Friday in Savannah . `` When the investigation is completed , the findings will be turned over to the Eastern Judicial District Attorney 's Office , '' the GBI said . David Jannot , a 10-year veteran of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department , has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation , police said in a statement . The police chief , Tolbert , told reporters that such leave is in line with `` proper protocol . '' As to Smith , the man Jannot killed , a friend described him as `` cool people . '' `` He was willing to help out , '' Joe Strobert told WTOC . `` He was willing . If you ... needed help , he got you . '' Father seeks closure in son 's 'Houdini handcuff suicide '
Agency : Staff , volunteers got a warning of ` ` potential civil unrest '' Agency : Charles Smith , in handcuffs , was killed after an officer said he ` ` had a gun '' People gather near shooting scene afterward , holding up signs and holding hands . Police chief tells locals not to do anything ` ` that could cause you problems ''