Cops: Newnan man in custody after shooting son, barricading himself in home

The man told police his father, 48-year-old Steve Richard Smith, shot him repeatedly during a fight at their home, Copeland said. The 27-year-old was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he remained Tuesday morning in critical condition.

Following the shooting, the elder Smith barricaded himself inside the house, triggering a SWAT standoff that lasted nearly five hours, authorities said. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was called in to assist Newnan police and negotiate with the barricaded father.

Smith agreed to surrender shortly before midnight, but was shot in the leg with a “less lethal” shotgun after making a sudden movement on his way out of the home, according to the GBI.

“After several hours of negotiating, he agreed to surrender and come outside,” GBI spokeswoman Natalie Ammons said in a statement. “As Steve Smith was walking backwards to the officers’ commands, he made a quick movement with his hand to his waistband, at which time a Coweta County Sheriff’s Office deputy fired his duty issued, less lethal shotgun, striking Steve Smith in the leg.”

Steve Smith was also taken to Grady and listed in critical condition, authorities said Tuesday. Police said he faces an aggravated assault charge.

Newnan police are investigating the domestic shooting and the GBI is conducting an independent investigation into the Coweta deputy’s use of force, Ammons said. Once that investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

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