A northeast Georgia sheriff has been released from the hospital after he and one of his deputies were shot while responding to a Sunday evening domestic incident that ended with three people dead.
Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell and Deputy Bill Zigan were responding to a call at a former police officer’s home near Clarkesville when the two were shot by 41-year-old Anthony Giaquinta, the GBI said late Sunday. Both the sheriff and deputy were taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment, according to Capt. Mark Perry with the Georgia State Patrol.
“As EMS and law enforcement arrived, he started shooting at Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies,” Perry said. “Two have been wounded. At this point it doesn’t appear serious.”
Terrell was released from the hospital at about 11 p.m. Sunday, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Giaquinta, a former City of Gainesville officer who had been fired, shot and killed his wife and then shot Terrell and Zigan, according to the GBI. Giaquinta and another man were both found dead late Sunday. It was not known whether Giaquinta shot himself.
Early information released indicated Giaquinta was a former Habersham County deputy, but that information was later retracted.
The incident happened around 7:30 p.m., just outside of Clarkesville, according to the GSP. Terrell responded to the incident because he knew Giaquinta and believed he could help assist, Channel 2 reported early Monday.
The GBI and other law enforcement agencies are assisting with the investigation.
Habersham County is located about 85 miles northeast of Atlanta.
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