Paulding Deputy, 3 Others, Shot Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

(Photo: Paulding County Cpl. Sam Driskell)

A Paulding County sheriff’’s deputy and three other family members are dead, the result of what authorities are calling a “possible murder-suicide” at a residence south of Hiram.

Cpl. Sam Driskell, 52, his wife, Muachin, 36, and 12-year-old daughter Carolyn were found dead from gunshot wounds, as was Driskell’s 21-year-old stepson Felix Almonte. The preliminary investigation indicates Almonte was the shooter, authorities said at a 5 p.m. press conference.

Driskell, a well-loved 10-year veteran of the agency, was apparently shot in the head while he slept, Sheriff Gary Gulledge said.

WSB-TV reported a neighbor heard muffled gunfire between 10 and 11 p.m. Monday. Gulledge said it’s possible the weapon used in the shootings was Driskell’s service weapon.

“There’s no rhyme nor reason for it. All my guys are heart-broken,” said Gulledge, who called Driskell “Sammy” during the press conference and said he attended high school in Paulding County with the corporal. “We’ve lost one of the best guys we’ve ever had.”

Driskell was a decorated officer with the department, with recognitions from such agencies as the GBI and the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. In September, he was awarded the Paulding County Board of Commissioner’s Public Safety Award (read Patch story here). Driskell was responsible for maintaining and updating the Sex Offender Registry in Paulding County.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. Ashely Henson said concern was raised when Driskell did not show up for a court appearance earlier in the day, calling it “not characteristic” of Driskell. The bodies were found when officers went to Driskell’s home at 7419 Ridge Road to check on him.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

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Original post

Paulding County Sheriff’s Office says it’s on the scene at a Hiram residence where “multiple bodies” were found Tuesday afternoon.

The agency said in a email the scene is at 7419 Ridge Road.

WSB-TV has reported the home is the residence of a Paulding County Sheriff’s deputy and his family. It is unclear how many bodies were found in the home. The TV station reported five people live in the residence.

The deputy, reportedly a corporal, had not shown up for work and the bodies were discovered when officers went to the home to check on him, the TV station reported.

More information is expected to be released at a 5 p.m. press conference, the sheriff’s office said.

The alert sent at 3:42 p.m. said:

We are on scene of an active investigation involving multiple bodies in a Paulding County residence at 7419 Ridge Road. We will provide additional information, as it becomes available.

Check back for updates