Deputy U.S. marshal shot, killed in southeast Georgia

LONG COUNTY, Ga. — A deputy U.S. marshal was fatally shot Friday morning while trying to serve an arrest warrant in southeast Georgia, federal authorities said.

The U.S. Marshals Service said Patrick Carothers, 53, was part of a team executing a warrant for the arrest of Dontrell Montese Carter, who was wanted for attempted murder of police officers, domestic violence and illegally discharging a weapon during an incident in South Carolina.

Carothers was shot twice while trying to serve the warrant at a mobile home in rural Long County, about 55 miles southeast of Savannah. The team returned fire, hitting Carter multiple times.

The deputy was taken to a hospital, where he died. The suspect was also taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Carter had attempted to kill seven law-enforcement officers in September and had a number of narcotics violations.

"The fugitive who killed Deputy Commander Carothers was extremely dangerous, wanted for trying to kill law enforcement officers and deliberately evading authorities," David Harlow, deputy director of the Marshals Service, said in a statement. "Pat is a hero and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and five children."

Carothers was assigned to the Macon field office, but previously worked in metro Atlanta.

He had served with the marshals for 26 years. He supervised the southeast regional fugitive task force for more than a year.

"These are fine men and women who are out enforcing the law and trying to protect the public, and when these types of events happen, we all grieve," said Steve Emmett, Atlanta FBI special agent.

The FBI is investigating the shooting.

Cox Media Group