A man shot and killed a Gainesville woman at his Flowery Branch home Saturday afternoon and then turned the gun on himself, according to an ongoing investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). A nine-year-old girl was in the house at the time but was physically unharmed.
HCSO patrol deputies were dispatched to the residence in the 5400 block of Bushnell Court just before 3:00. When they arrived at the scene, they found the 50-year-old victim dead at the threshold of the residence. Deputies discovered the body of the 51-year-old gunman in the basement. The child was hiding in an upstairs bedroom closet.
Sheriff’s office criminal investigators confirmed the child witnessed the shooting and contacted a friend via Face Time. The friend told her parents about the call. The parents in turn called 911.
Investigators said the victim was shot several times. The gunman died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. At this time, HCSO is withholding the names of those involved until out-of-state next-of-kin can be located.
Investigators contacted the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) to assist with placement of the child. Ultimately, she was released into the custody of a relative.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED SATURDAY NIGHT: UPDATE: HCSO: ‘Investigation’ underway in Flowery Branch