HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — The GBI is investigating after Houston County deputies shot and killed a man who was holding his children hostage late Saturday night.
According to a GBI news release, it started when Centerville Police responded to a domestic dispute call in the 300-block of Village Walk.
When officers arrived, they spoke to 48-year-old Shawn Evanuk in the driveway. The release says he was out of jail on bond for family violence and was ordered to stay away from the home.
GBI Special Agent Todd Crosby says Evanuk and his wife were having a "domestic situation" outside.
He went inside and barricaded himself and his three children – ages 4, 2 and 1.
Crosby says once law enforcement arrived, Evanuk ran into the home where the children were sleeping (since this was around midnight), and he locked all the doors, including the garage door.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) was then called to the home. Evanuk released the 4-year-old and 1-year-old.
His wife was not allowed to chase after him or go inside the home, but she did stay on scene, according to Crosby.
Negotiators tried to speak with Evanuk, but couldn’t reach him. The SRT was told Evanuk was threatening to hurt the 2-year-old and burn down the house.
Responders forced their way into the home and spoke with Evanuk, who they say was armed with a knife. The release says they asked him to put the knife down, but he didn’t, and a struggle between Evanuk and the SRT led to him being shot once.
Evanuk was pronounced dead at the scene. He will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The GBI will conduct its own investigation and turn the results over to the Houston County DA’s office for review.
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