Active Death Investigation

Update: Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at 12:30 P.M.

Today Canton Detectives arrested Gary Matthew Allen (31 yrs old) of Jasper Georgia.  The arrest came as part of an ongoing investigation of the death of Leon Danzis that occurred at a local restaurant on Friday, June 28, 2019.

Mr. Allen was arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked in with the following charges:

O.C.G.A 16-5-21(a)(2) Aggravated Assult With A Deadly Weapon (1 count) (Felony)
O.C.G.A 16-5-24(a) Aggravated Battery (1 count) (Felony)
O.C.G.A 16-5-1(c) Murder during the Commission of a Felony (1count)


Original Press Release (6/29/2019 AT 5:46 A.M.):


The Canton Police Department responded to Canton Ice House at 150 Keith Dr. Canton, Ga on June 28th at approximately 10:19 p.m. in reference to an altercation which had occurred inside the business. Leon Danzis, a 45-year-old male of Houschton, Ga. was transported to Northside Cherokee Hospital and was later pronounced deceased. The Canton Police Department is actively investigating this incident and ask anyone with information to please contact the Police Department at (770)720-4883.

Canton Police Welcomes New Officers

Canton Police held a swearing-in ceremony for its newest Officers Michael Caplan, Hayley Wagner, and Carlos Henao.

Officer Caplan, Officer Wagner, and Officer Henao

They were sworn into the department by Judge Darrell Caudill on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at Canton Police Department. Family, friends and other members of the Canton Police force were in attendance to show their support.

Chief Mark Mitchell stated "We are certain they are going to be a very good fit and an asset to our agency and community we serve. They all have the right Attitude, Mindset, and Heart to be part of the Police Department and citizens we engage with every day.”

Left to right: Deputy Chief Stephen Merrifield, Lt. Matt Baldwin, Officer Michael Caplan, Officer Hayley Wagner, Lt. John Lummus, Officer Carlos Henao, Captain Jeff Tucker, and Captain Wendell Turner.

Detectives Charge Burglary Suspect

On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 1:41 a.m., officers responded to an audible alarm at the Cloud 9 Smoke and Vape Company located at 180 Riverstone Parkway, Suite 100.  Upon arrival, units discovered the front glass door of the business to be shattered with a large cinder-block.  Further investigation revealed through video surveillance, a young white male wearing a grey hoodie threw a cinder-block through the door and stole several vape devices before quickly leaving the store.

Police Detectives began working the case, followed several leads and received information to help solve the incident through social media after the agency shared it with the public.  The suspect is a juvenile and will be charged with Burglary (GA Code § 16-7-1). The burglary investigation led detectives to charge the suspect with Shoplifting (GA Code §16-8-14) from an unsolved case that occurred at the Canton Wal-Mart on May 7, 2019.  In addition, the individual had been arrested by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office in connection with an earlier burglary back in April of this year.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell added, "I appreciate the very hard work of our detectives to solve this case.  Also, we are very grateful for the public's help via social media to assist in the identification of the suspect.  Our Social Media platforms have been a great tool to help us quickly get information out to the community who in-turn supports and partners with us each day to improve the quality of life for us all in our great city."