Mark Dennis Whibbey Jr Obituary, Death – Authorities in Savannah are investigating a fatal police-involved incident that occurred Thursday afternoon at Plant Riverside. Officials have identified the individual who died as 27-year-old Mark Dennis Whibbey Jr., of Seabrook, South Carolina. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is leading the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to law enforcement reports, Savannah Police responded to the area shortly after 1:30 p.m. following calls about an individual reported to be armed and involved in a shoplifting incident. Officers arrived near West Congress Street, close to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Bay Street, and attempted to engage the individual.
Initial reports indicate that officers gave commands to the man, but he did not comply. He moved toward the Riverwalk area near the JW Marriott, prompting a response from multiple officers. Law enforcement sources say that officers tried to use non-lethal methods to de-escalate the situation, but those efforts were not successful.
During the encounter, multiple Savannah Police officers discharged their weapons. The man was struck and later pronounced deceased. Authorities stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that they are carefully reviewing all available evidence, including video footage obtained by news outlets, to determine the full circumstances.
Plant Riverside staff told local media that the individual was known to the property and that there had been previous incidents involving him. Public records indicate that he had been listed as homeless in Savannah and unemployed as of last August. Since that time, he had multiple interactions with law enforcement, including arrests related to trespassing, obstruction, and theft. Records also show that he had been released from custody the day prior to the incident.
The GBI was observed on site on Friday, continuing its investigation. Officials emphasized that the agency is working independently to provide a thorough and impartial review. They also noted that additional information will be released as it becomes available, and that conclusions will only be drawn after all evidence has been examined.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigative process to proceed. They reiterated that police-involved incidents are taken seriously, and that all relevant procedures and protocols are being followed to ensure a complete review of events.
Officials also reminded the community about safety and the importance of reporting emergencies promptly, while encouraging patience as law enforcement gathers details and interviews witnesses. The GBI and Savannah Police Department are cooperating fully to provide an accurate account of the incident to the public.
Updates are expected as the investigation continues, and officials have stated that information regarding the findings will be shared once the review is complete. The focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability while handling the sensitive circumstances surrounding the event.
