GBI: Bartow deputies shoot, kill man with air rifle while serving warrant
Bartow County deputies shoot, kill man; GBI investigating
A man is dead following an exchange of gunfire with Bartow County deputies. Neighbors reported hearing machine gun fire nearby. The GBI confirmed to FOX 5 that agents are investigating.
BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating after Bartow County deputies shot and killed a man who was later found to be holding a pellet air rifle, according to the agency.
What we know:
The GBI said it launched the investigation at the request of the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting happened Monday around 4:50 p.m. at a home off GA-20 Spur in Cartersville.
According to the GBI, deputies and officials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office arrived at the home to serve a search warrant when Dylan Burl Rice, 39, refused to come out. Deputies deployed flashbangs, prompting Rice to exit through the back door.
Investigators said that when Rice came out, officers believed he was holding a shotgun or rifle. Deputies attempted to use less-lethal foam and pepper rounds, but Rice pointed the weapon at them, according to the GBI. Officers then fired, killing him.
After the shooting, investigators determined the weapon was a pellet air rifle.
What they're saying:
Jamie Mullinax lives nearby. He said he and his son heard a loud commotion and went to see what was happening.
"We heard two large explosions sounded like a cannon going off… and right behind that you could hear machine gun fire," Mullinax said.
He said they saw police surrounding a home on the road with officers in tactical gear. He counted at least 15 police cars.
"A bunch of guys in tactical uniforms coming out of the house, around from behind the house with machine guns and police everywhere," he said.
What we don't know:
Deputies have not said why they were serving a search warrant at the house, but FOX 5 has reached out to the GBI for comment.
What's next:
The GBI says an autopsy will be performed. Once the investigation is complete, findings will be turned over to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Source: Information in this article came from a release sent by the GBI. It has been updated with information from Denise Dillon who spoke with neighbors and officials at the scene.