ICYMI: Trooper Shoots, Kills Man Who Tried To Drown Him, GSP Says

Gainesville, GA — A Georgia State Patrol trooper shot and killed a man who had tried to drown him, authorities say.

On Saturday at about 8:25 p.m., state and local police were conducting a road check at Georgia 53 just south of I-985 in Gainesville.

GSP says a Ford Explorer, driven by Rodrigo Guardiola, 36, made an improper U-turn and fled the road check. Two troopers tried to stop the Explorer and a chase ensued.

The chase turned onto I-985 northbound, turned off at Queen City Parkway and then headed back toward the city of Gainesville. Contact was made between the suspect's vehicle and patrol cars, and the chase ended in a collision.

Both Guardiola and passenger Epitacio Gudino, 31, then ran away, the state patrol said.

Sgt. Auston Allen caught up to Guardiola at a run-off creek alongside Industrial Avenue and attempted to place him under arrest, but Guardiola fought back, according to a state patrol news release.

As they were fighting, Guardiola tried to push Allen underwater and hold him there, the release said.

Allen reportedly fired his Taser at Guardiola, but it was not effective, so he pulled his service weapon and shot the suspect, who "succumbed to his injuries," according to the state patrol.

Gudino was captured nearby shortly afterward. He remains in custody in Hall County on charges related to the incident. Allen was treated and released from Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation to determine exactly what happened during the incident. Its findings will be turned over to the Hall County district attorney's office for review.

(Photo courtesy Georgia State Patrol)