GBI: Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting tried to drown trooper

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating a deadly, officer-involved shooting in Gainesville.

The GBI confirmed late Sunday morning that the trooper fired a shot that killed the suspect after investigators say the man tried to drown him.

The incident started Saturday night when investigators say two men, identified as Rodrigo Guardiola, 36, and Epitacio Gudino, 31, bolted from a DUI checkpoint in a Ford explorer.

Troopers say after several miles, the SUV eventually hit a patrol car and ended up crashing.

Both suspects then ran. Troopers eventually caught up to them, but allege that one suspect wouldn't give up without a fight.

"A physical struggled ensued while he was trying to get him handcuffed, very violent confrontation for about a minute, minute and half, which ultimately resulted in shots being fired, and the violator is deceased," said Cpt. Mark Perry with the Georgia State Patrol.

The GBI says during that struggle, Guardiola allegedly tried to drown the trooper. Two other troopers arrived to help. One of those troopers tried to stun Guardiola with his Taser, but the stun had no effect on Guardiola, and that’s when detectives said the trooper then shot and killed Guardiola.

One trooper was injured in the fight. Another twisted a knee chasing Gudino, who is now in jail. A third trooper was also checked out at the hospital.

"The officers will be OK physically. It take a little while probably mentally and emotionally to sort out what happened tonight. I will say this, the troopers involved, I know them personally, I know they have a strong faith in God and know that's what's going to take to get them through it," said Perry.

All of the troopers involved have been released from the hospital.

The GBI has taken the lead on this investigation and said it will turn over their results to the district attorney once the investigation is complete.

Cox Media Group