Suspect dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after making threats, pointing gun at deputies

Published 12:02 pm Friday, March 8, 2024

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A man is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after allegedly making threats to harm several people in his home and pointing a gun at deputies with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.

TCSO responded to 1155 Shoemaker Road at 9:30 p.m. Thursday in regard to a suspect, identified as Russell Heiser, making threats to shoot himself and possibly harm several other people in the home.

Deputies determined that Heiser, 52, made several family members inside the home fear that they’d be harmed if they attempted to leave.

A short time after arrival, everyone in the home except Heiser safely exited and were escorted to a nearby house by deputies.

Around 11:45 p.m., 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.

According to the press release, Heiser was able to get the gun and point it in the direction of the deputies. At that point, deputies fired multiple rounds at him as he continued to run inside the house. Deputies then heard a gunshot from inside the house.

Deputies safely entered the home 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 where he later died.

As standard protocol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was immediately notified and responded to the scene.