Once Deputies initiated a traffic stop and approached the vehicle they made contact with the driver, later identified as Billy Wayne Denton (W/M, 36 YOA) of Paulding County. At that point, Denton brandished a pistol and gunfire erupted shortly thereafter. Witnesses indicated that the suspect fired at Deputies, and the Deputies immediately returned fire. Denton, who was alone in the vehicle, then fled the scene striking the Deputies vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Paulding Deputies chased the vehicle through the City of Dallas where the pursuit eventually ended. Once the suspect vehicle crashed on West Memorial Drive adjacent to Bolton Furniture (which is beside the railroad trestle), gunfire erupted again.
It was then that Denton was able to be removed from the vehicle where aid was rendered while he was being taken into custody. Denton was transported to a local hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Thankfully, none of the Deputies involved in this incident were injured.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was contacted and responded to the scene and is currently conducting an independent investigation into the DIS. If you have any information about this case or saw this incident occur at either location, please call the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047 or send a message via the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.