Tense standoff in Troup County ends with one dead
An hours-long standoff involving Troup County deputies and a man threatening to shoot himself and others late Thursday night ended in a death.
The tense situation began around 9:30 PM on March 7, 2024, when deputies were dispatched to 1155 Shoemaker Road in regards to a person with a gun who was making threats to shoot himself and possibly harm several people that were also in the home including a small child.
“Once deputies arrived they determined that several family members were in the house with the suspect, who was identified as Russell Heiser, 52 years of age, and they were not able to leave the house out of fear of themselves being harmed by the suspect,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
Deputies immediately began trying to establish communication with the suspect to get him to allow the others to leave the home and for him to come out also.
“A short time later, everyone with exception of Heiser, safely exited the home and were escorted to a nearby house by deputies,” they added. Around 11:45 PM, Heiser exited the home and placed a handgun on a porch railing and continued to talk with deputies. Shortly after midnight a deputy deployed a taser after Heiser attempted to run toward the gun he had laid down.
“Heiser was able to get the gun and point it in the direction of the deputies, at which time deputies fired multiple rounds at him as he continued to run inside the house,” they said. “Deputies then heard a gunshot from inside the house.”
Deputies safely entered the house and found Heiser unresponsive from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Lifesaving measures began on Heiser by Troup County Fire Department and AMR personnel who had been staging in the area. Heiser was transported to Well Star West Georgia Medical were he later died.
“As standard protocol the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was immediately notified and responded to the scene,” the sheriff’s office said at the end of the release.
Related stories
LocalTroup County approves construction of Fire Station 15, expected to open in late 2027
LocalBREAKING: Large fire reported on West Point Road in Troup County
LocalAttic fire reported late Sunday night in Beauregard
LocalLee County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant faces long road to recovery after cancer battle
LocalMacon County Schools cancels Monday classes following Howard Road incident