BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — Multiple agencies are investigating a shooting spree that left two people dead and three others injured.
According to Bartow County Sheriff Clark Millsap, three people were shot at a home on Brent Circle. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the two others were transported via helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Wednesday, the sheriff's office identified the man who died as Royce Randal Hobgood, 64, and the gunman as Austin Denzel Tyler, 20.
From the home on Milam Bridge Road, the sheriff said Tyler went to a location on River Oaks and carjacked an elderly man and his grandson. They were not injured.
Deputies say Tyler then took a vehicle at the home and drove to another home on Milam Bridge Road, crashing into it. Millsap said the gunman kicked in the door and shot a man in the hand.
Tyler then took the vehicle and crashed into a lawn-care truck near Westgate Drive and Euharlee Road, according to Millsap. The impact caused a fire.
Millsap said Tyler then shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Something we don’t ever want to see,” Millsap said.
That grandfather who was carjacked said he just wanted to keep his grandson safe.
“It's all in God's hands he kept me safe he kept my grandson safe,” said Ronnie Harris.
Harris said his only thought was for his 12-year-old grandson's safety when someone bumped his SUV from behind and then carjacked him at gunpoint.
“He said, ‘I want your truck and I want your money. If you don't have any money get out of your truck. I want your truck’ and the gun was two inches from my nose,” Harris said.
Phillip Burlson lives across the street on Brent Circle and said he saw the three men shot outside the home.
“I'm going to have nightmares for it,” Burlson said.
Authorities are investigating if the shootings could be drug-related. The sheriff said Tyler knew his victims.
Bartow County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol are also investigating the incidents.