The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says it appears the man who was shot and killed by a Franklin County deputy sheriff Sunday night had seriously wounded three other people prior to opening fire on the deputy.
According to the GBI, Franklin County deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at 585 Roberts Lane, Carnesville, about 10 p.m. Sunday, May 13.
When deputies arrived, they located one person suffering from a gunshot wound, and learned others were inside the home and likely had been shot with a shotgun, according to the GBI. At that point, the suspect was still inside the home.
“The person inside the residence, who was identified as James Brian Kay of Martin, had reportedly shot others inside the residence as well,” GBI spokesman Bahan Rich told AccessWDUN on Monday. “During the incident, Kay came outside the house and shot at a marked patrol car, and a Franklin County deputy returned fire and that round struck Kay, and Kay died at the scene.”
Three other gunshot victims were located on scene. An 11-year-old was inside the home at the time of the incident, but the child hid and was not shot.
“We do know that three individuals were found shot at the residence, and all of them had serious injuries,” Rich said. “The three were transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, S.C., for treatment.”
No officers were injured during the incident, Rich said.
An autopsy on Kay will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur.
As requested by Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas, the GBI will continue its independent investigation of the incident.
Once completed, the GBI investigative file will be submitted to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
