The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Bartow County after authorities say a man opened fire on a deputy responding to a report of an armed person at a Cartersville McDonald’s.
The investigation is being conducted at the request of the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office. One man was shot and killed during the incident. No deputies were injured.
According to preliminary information released by the GBI, Bartow County deputies were dispatched around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, to the McDonald’s restaurant at 1370 Joe Frank Harris Parkway SE in Cartersville. Deputies were responding to a report of a man pointing a gun at a McDonald’s employee.
A deputy arriving in the area located the man in a nearby parking lot. The GBI identified him as 31-year-old Marcus Maurice Williams of Cartersville.
Investigators said Williams was still holding a gun when the deputy encountered him. The deputy gave Williams verbal commands, but according to the GBI, Williams refused to comply.
The GBI said Williams then pointed the gun at the deputy and fired. The deputy returned fire, striking Williams.
Williams was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. His body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. The GBI will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting and, once completed, will turn its case file over to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun at (706) 624-1424. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the GBI Tipline at 800-597-TIPS (8477), through the GBI’s online tip system or through the See Something, Send Something mobile application.