ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A north Georgia police officer is in critical condition after he was shot while on duty overnight.

The incident happened in McCaysville, a Fannin County city near the Tennessee border. The officer, identified as Captain Brantley Worley, was shot in the throat and airlifted to a hospital in the nearby city of Chattanooga.

The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Timothy Craig Ramsey, faces charges of aggravated assault with intent to murder a police officer. He was caught and placed in custody on Saturday afternoon, according to law enforcement.

McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley says law enforcement received a tip from someone who recognized the suspect late Saturday afternoon. Police found him found in a wooded area near Bethel Church on Bethel Church Road.

Ramsey was taken into custody without incident. Chief Earley said he could not confirm if he still had a firearm on him when arrested.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) issued a Blue Alert to help find Ramsey. A Blue Alert is used to tell the public about a suspect accused of killing or seriously hurting a law enforcement officer.

The alert was sent out to cell phones in Fannin, Gilmer and Union counties.

Ramsey is described as a white man with long hair and blue eyes. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 185 pounds.

He was last seen around 1st Street in McCaysville wearing a green top, dark-colored pants, and a dark motorcycle helmet prior to his capture.

Police dispatch said officers initially responded to a call about a suspicious car on Central Avenue at around 11 p.m. on Friday. The officer was later shot in the 350 block of 1st Street, less than a mile away.

Several local and federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, have been called to help with the case.

According to McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley, Worley has a broken neck and is suffering from brain bleeding, as well as fluid in the lungs.

“Captain Worley is a dedicated officer who has faithfully served this community, and we are asking everyone to keep him, his family, and our department in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” he said in a statement.

Worley was promoted to Captain in July and has 15 years of law enforcement experience.

Earley added that police have run into Ramsey before. Neighbors told Atlanta News First that Ramsey was a problem in the neighborhood, with one calling him “aggressive and violent.” Another said Ramsey once shot out his windows, believing the neighbor had killed his cat.

Law enforcement raided Ramsey’s house on Kingtown Street overnight, but they didn’t find him there.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp took to social media to share his sympathy for the injured officer.

“Marty, the girls, and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for this officer who was shot in the line of duty, as well as all law enforcement who face this kind of danger on a regular basis to protect their communities,” he said.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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