Richmond County Deputy Corey Carlyle On Paid Leave Following Deadly Shooting

Augusta, GA - A press conference was held at the Richmond County Law Enforcement Center Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., after a man died from a gunshot wound after shots were fired at the Augusta Manor Apartment complex.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating whether the suspect took his own life, or if officers fired one of the shots that killed him.

Sheriff Ronnie Strength tells us the incident started in North Augusta.

We're told the man who died, Bobby Flippo, took his girlfriend, two children, and a his male friend, and forced them into his car at gunpoint. Flippo them made his girlfriend drive into Richmond County and she pulled into a Chevron gas station, around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday moing. The girlfriend, male friend, and one child escaped from the vehicle and then shots were fired by Flippo.

Sheriff Strength says that's when Deputy Corey Carlyle heard the shots, responded to the gas station, and a then a chase started down Mike Padgett Highway. The chase ended at Augusta Manor Apartments.

Sheriff Strength says Flippo held the gun to his head and threatened to shoot himself and his 8-month-old child, who was still in the car.

When he reached for the infant, we're told that's when Deputy Carlyle fired at least two shots. It's believed Flippo fired at least one shot.

Flippo was shot in the chest by Deputy Carlyle, and he was also shot once in the head.

It is still undetermined if Deputy Carlyle shot Flippo in the head, or if the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

Deputy Carlyle has been with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for six and a half years.

In June of 2004, Deputy Carlyle and another deputy shot and killed Jesus Rodriguez-Martinez, after he stabbed a woman and child in a West Augusta subdivision.

Carlyle is on paid administrative duty until the investigation, which has been tued over to the GBI, is complete. Sheriff Strength says he believes Carlyle acted appropriately. No further information regarding the case is being released at this time.