A standoff between law enforcement officers and a man they had come to do a welfare check on ended in gunfire after the man allegedly fired his weapon at SWAT team members, who returned fire killing the man.
On Wednesday, April 15 at about 11:50 p.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred at the Super 8 Motel located at 3026 Washington Road in Augusta.
According to the GBI, preliminary information indicates that at about 8:30 p.m., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Super 8 Motel to conduct a welfare check on 39-year-old Goldie Bellinger, of Williston, South Carolina. Bellinger was a guest at the hotel.
Deputies responded to the hotel and made contact with Bellinger, who police say refused to speak with them and barricaded himself in a hotel room. One of the responding deputies saw that Bellinger was in possession of a firearm. According to police, Bellinger also pointed the firearm at the deputies.
The Richmond County SWAT team responded to the scene and began attempting to negotiate with Bellinger. According to the GBI, the preliminary investigation has revealed that during negotiation attempts Bellinger began firing at the SWAT team. Three SWAT team members returned fire, striking Bellinger.
Bellinger was removed from the room by SWAT team members and EMS personnel attempted to provide aid to Bellinger, but he died as a result of his injuries.
Bellinger’s body was transported to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur where an autopsy will be performed later.
No officers were injured in this incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office for review
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