Victims in Paulding County shooting identified
Paulding County, Ga. - Paulding County authorities on Wednesday identified the victims of a triple shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon in the Pine Valley neighborhood. The gunman, William Arnett, was found dead hours later after a standoff with authorities. Deputies said it appeared Arnett shot and killed himself.
Investigators said the shooting happened just before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities said it appeared the attack was unprovoked. They said Arnett targeted the victims when they came to the neighborhood to pick up belongings from a home they were moving out of.
Jeffrey Adams, age 52, was shot and killed. Annetta Adams, age 47, was shot in the abdomen and hospitalized. Denise Basnett of Clarksville, TN was shot several times and flown by helicopter to Grady Hospital in Atlanta.
Authorities said Wednesday that Basnett underwent hours of surgery, and more surgeries are expected. Ms. Adams' condition was improving, and she is expected to be moved out of intensive care.
When a deputy first arrived at the scene, Arnett opened fire, missing the deputy, authorities said. After that, Arnett barricaded himself inside his home. The SWAT team utilized tear gas and sent a robot into the home before entering themselves and finding Arnett dead in the back of the home.
Access to the neighborhood was blocked for several hours as the standoff between Arnett and authorities continued.
Video from SKYFOX 5 showed the heavy police presence in the area. Officers used an armored vehicle, and a helicopter was on the scene prepared to transport victims.
Residents were allowed back into the area around 11 p.m. Tuesday night.