FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Friday, February 23, 2024
Jail Inmate Death
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
At about 10 p.m. last night (February 22) deputy sheriffs responded to a 911 report of a domestic violence incident involving a subject firing a weapon at a private residence on Louise Lane near Calhoun. Deputies arrived within 7 minutes and observed a male individual at the front of the home armed with a handgun. This individual was waving the gun about in a reckless and threatening manner. The deputies convinced him to drop his weapon. The man was then taken into custody. Although he offered no further violence, he refused to comply with instructions and was placed into a patrol car to be transported to jail on suspicion of charges of Reckless Conduct (involving the discharge of the firearm), and other firearms related offenses. The victim/complainant, believed to be the man’s wife, reported to deputies that the man had been using drugs that day, and was running about shooting at non-existent people. The deputies observed bullet holes in an automobile, and also in several doors in the residence. One bullet struck a neighboring fence alongside the closely situated houses. A number of small children were present at the home when the shooting occurred. The man’s gun was recovered as evidence. No direct force was used to effect the arrest, and he was transported to the jail. After being arrested, the man told deputies that people were “after him“. He was placed in a cell where he was later found unresponsive by jail officers conducting a cell check. Jailors immediately began life support measures (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and summoned emergency medical personnel. Fire/Rescue and local EMS arrived at the jail and removed the inmate via ambulance. The man was subsequently pronounced dead.
The Sheriff’s Office immediately requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conduct an independent investigation into this matter, as is required in any in-custody death. The name of the deceased will be withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The investigation by the GBI and the Coroner’s Office is continuing.