A suspect in a Middle Georgia homicide was found dead in his car Sunday evening after speeding away from state troopers in Atlanta.
Authorities believe 42-year-old John Bussey died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after making the 70-mile trip from Thomaston to Midtown, according to Thomaston police. His death is being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol and the GBI.
The Thomaston agency is investigating the death of Bussey’s ex-girlfriend, who was shot multiple times inside a home on Thurston Avenue earlier in the afternoon. The body of Rosanna Smith, 32, was discovered about 3 p.m. during a wellness check, the police department said on Facebook.
Bussey and Smith shared a child, police said. According to investigators, Bussey went to the woman’s home to return a vehicle.
“While at the residence, some type of dispute occurred and evidence indicates Bussey shot the victim and fled the scene in the victim’s Ford Edge,” police said.
They issued a lookout for Bussey and the vehicle, and it was spotted about 6:30 p.m. by the State Patrol in the area of Ponce de Leon Avenue.
“They attempted to make a traffic stop, at which time the suspect vehicle fled,” Thomaston police said. “After a brief vehicle pursuit, the suspect vehicle wrecked at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Boulevard in Atlanta.”
Bussey was found dead “immediately after the wreck,” according to police. He was the sole suspect in Smith’s death.
The GBI and GSP have not released any further details about the incident in Atlanta.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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