Deputy fires at fleeing murder suspect; GBI investigating both incidents

The GBI is investigating after an alleged killer was shot at by a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy Friday morning.

Sgt. Lawson Bittick, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said a deputy fired at the man, who is in custody after the officer-involved shooting at 231 Klopfer Road near Harrison Road in Bolingbroke.

The man was wanted in a fatal shooting earlier today at 551 Berlyn Drive in Crawford County. Crawford County Sheriff Lewis Walker said deputies were called to the scene at 9 a.m., where they found a 55-year-old man dead in the front yard when they arrived.

GBI Special Agent J. T. Ricketson said the two men had some sort of altercation at about 7 a.m. Friday. Investigators had to secure a search warrant before entering the home.

GBI agents are interviewing witnesses while crime scene technician’s gather evidence at the Berlyn Drive home. Ricketson said information released by authorities tipped off Monroe County sheriff's deputies, who captured the suspect after a shoot out.

Christopher Tolen, a welder for KBW Industrial, which is near the crime scene, said he heard the shots and first thought they were firecrackers.

“The officers and the suspect came around the corner and they tackled him,” Tolen said. “That’s when I jumped over the fence and helped them hold the suspect down until they got more deputies here and the ambulance showed up.”

Tolen said he was shocked the man, who was toting two guns, wasn't shot.

GBI crime scene investigators combed the area near Gregg Rice Waterproofing Inc. Friday afternoon.

Walker declined to discuss further details about a motive and weapon as the GBI is investigating. Attempts to reach GBI Special Agent Joe Wooten were not successful.

This story was originally published April 7, 2017 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Deputy fires at fleeing murder suspect; GBI investigating both incidents."