GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Authorities are investigating why a man opened fire Monday on state troopers at a Georgia State Patrol post in Gainesville.
Channel 2's Tony Thomas learned that the 21-year-old might have been on some sort of suicide mission.
"He was saying something to the effect of, 'You guys are going to have to kill me,'" said Georgia Bureau of Investigations spokesperson Sherry Lang.
The GBI says Leighton Marchetta pulled up to Post 6 and fired at two troopers with a Ruger American .30-06 hunting rifle outside the accident reconstruction office.
"A high-power rifle was used by the perpetrator. Would've easily penetrated a vest. Fortunately that wasn't the case," said Capt. Keith Canup with the Georgia State Patrol.
"He had advanced towards the troopers, who took cover, and then he fired a second shot. One of the troopers started giving commands, telling the man to drop the gun," Lang said.
Lang said Trooper Steven Thompson then fired a shot, striking Marchetta in the shoulder.
"It appears that he was intoxicated this morning," Lang said. "We're trying to do background information on him, on what occurred recently with him. We're trying to determine why this incident occurred, why he came here."
Investigators used a helicopter and the Hall County SWAT team to secure the area and check areas connected to the gunman.
A Channel 2 Action News photographer was there when the SWAT team searched a home on Lakeland Drive a short time after the shooting.
"We are just in the process of making sure family and associates of Mr. Marchetta are safe, and so far it appears they are," Lang said.
Canup said they are thankful things turned out the way they did.
"It's a stark reminder in the times that we live and the things the troopers have to deal with on a daily basis," Canup said.
Thompson will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation into the shooting, which is routine in cases like this.
Lang said agents are in the process of getting a search warrant issued to search Marchetta's home.
Marchetta remains in the hospital and is expected to be released later Monday. Lang said Marchetta will be charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer.