BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — A Bartow County deputy shot a man on Monday night while responding to a domestic incident at a home with what the Georgia Bureau of Investigation described as a "potential barricaded gunman" situation.
It began when Adairsville Police officers responded to a woman's 911 call from a home on Barnsley Village Drive. According to the GBI, she "abruptly hung up" during the call and then a man later identified as 42-year-old James Lee Rourks called 911back and said everything was fine.
"Officers arrived at the home and Rourks’ wife informed the officers that there was a domestic dispute and that Rourks had a gun," a GBI release said. "Rourks reentered the home, and refused to comply with officers’ commands."
At this point, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office was called in to assist with the "potential barricaded gunman" situation. Sheriff's deputies arrived at the home, entered it and "encountered Rourks" at which point "one deputy shot at Rourks, injuring him."
The injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to the GBI. The exact injuries were not disclosed.
The bureau's release did not describe the exact circumstances inside the home that preceded the deputy firing at Rourks. The GBI did not say if Rourks was indeed armed inside the home.
He was taken to a hospital and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and interference with a 911 call.
"The GBI will conduct an independent investigation," the release said. "Once complete, the case file will be given to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office for review."
News happens fast. Stream it faster with our re-designed 11Alive+ app.
Watch newscasts, breaking news streams and get the latest sports, weather and VERIFY content -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Text "plus" to 404-885-7600 to download 11Alive+ and stream now.
