The GBI is investigating after a man died following a traffic stop that led to a shootout with Paulding County sheriff’s deputies and a pursuit Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Deputies were trying to pull over a driver just before 10 a.m. at the intersection of Macland Road and Bobo Road, not far from Dallas, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. When the driver pulled over, he brandished a pistol and “gunfire erupted between the suspect and deputies,” according to spokesperson Sgt. Ashley Henson.
The suspect, later identified by the GBI as 36-year-old Billy Wayne Denton of Rockmart, fled in the vehicle and hit a patrol car, and deputies gave chase until Denton crashed at West Memorial Drive, next to the Bolton Furniture Company, officials said.
Authorities said another exchange of gunfire took place at that location, and Denton was eventually apprehended and taken to a hospital, where he died. A handgun was recovered from his vehicle, the GBI said.
No deputies were injured.
It was not clear if the man was killed by deputies or by his own gunfire.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once completed, it will turn over its findings to the Paulding County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Sunday’s incident is the 104th officer-involved shooting the GBI has been tasked with investigating this year.
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