A man who allegedly kidnapped his estranged wife at gunpoint Wednesday morning in Alpharetta and assaulted her has killed himself, police said Thursday.
Alpharetta police had been searching for Samuel Smith III, described as armed and dangerous.
"The suspect took his life in DeKalb County last night," Alpharetta police spokesman George Gordon said in a statement. He said police had no other details to release at this time.
The 48-year-old Smith was wanted in connection with the assault of his wife, from whom he is separated, police said.
The victim told police that she left her apartment to go to work around 7:35 a.m. when Smith, wearing a mask, jumped from behind bushes and ordered her at gunpoint to get into her vehicle or be killed, police said. The victim told police Smith began to beat her after she got into the vehicle.
Numerous witnesses called 911 to report the assault, police said.
When Smith tried to flee with the passenger door open, he struck another vehicle in the parking lot, police said. After the impact with the other vehicle, the victim told police she was able to grab the handgun and throw it out of the vehicle. She jumped from the passenger seat and ran to nearby apartments.
Smith fled in a blue 2003 Honda Accord bearing GA tag PAC2811, police said.
, Smith faced charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, hijacking a motor vehicle, false imprisonment and hit and run, police said.
