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GBI: Former Habersham Co. deputy killed ex-wife, boyfriend before shooting sheriff, deputy

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau Investigation is working to determined what led a man to kill two people before shooting a sheriff and sheriff's deputy Sunday.

Channel 2 Action News learned Monday that a 16-year old girl made the first 911 call about an initial shooting.

The gunman, identified as Anthony Giaquinta, then shot Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell and a deputy, according to the GBI.

Officials say they believe an exchange of gunfire likely killed Anthony Giaquinta. They said that there was no indication of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

They added that a bullet hit the sheriff in the arm and a deputy was also shot twice.

Investigators were still gathering evidence from the house and yard for most of the day Monday.

Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes learned the family lives an estimated five minute from the house.

Fernandes spoke to family members Monday, who said their only focus is the two teenage girls who lost their mother at the hands of their father.

“We’re a very close family,” Kathy Giaquinta’s uncle, Tim Smith, said.

Police say Anthony Giaquinta shot and killed his ex-wife, Kathy Giaquinta Smith, along with her boyfriend.

Family members fear the thought of the young girls knowing their father is responsible for their mother's death.

“(we’re going to) try to make sure that they're raised as best as we can,” smith said.

GBI investigators say Anthony Giaquinta was a former Habersham County sheriff’s deputy and also worked at the Gainesville police department. He was terminated from the Habersham county sheriff’s office in June 2013 after allegations of domestic violence, the GBI said in a news conference Monday afternoon.

They said that Anthony Giaquinta showed up to Kathy Giaquinta's house around 7 p.m. Sunday. 22.

He had been arrested for allegedly hitting her about two years prior. He was charged with battery initially, but records show his wife at the time, Kathy Giaquinta, asked for those charges to be dropped.

Their 16-year-old daughter was home and called 911.

According to the GBI, Habersham county sheriff joey Terrell and another deputy answered the 911 call, because they know the domestic history. The deputy was guarding the house, when he was shot by Giaquinta, his former colleague), the GBI said.

When Terrell went to see why he heard a gunshot, he was also shot by Giaquinta, GBI officials said.

More deputies responded, and one of them ended up killing Giaquinta, according to police.

Friends and family told Fernandes they believe there were many warning signs, and something could have been done before Anthony Giaquinta lost control.

“I trust the guys of the GBI, to do their job. I know they'll do it well, there will be a thorough investigation, and we completely trust what they’re going to do,” Smith said.