BARTOW COUNTY, GA — A 50-year-old woman was shot and killed by law enforcement officers during a felony traffic stop in Bartow County on Wednesday night, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The deceased has been identified as Carrie Hall of Cartersville. The incident has sparked an active investigation as authorities work to uncover the full details of what led to the fatal shooting.
The situation began earlier when Hall reportedly arrived at a residence in Bartow County and discharged a firearm. The homeowner, who was familiar with Hall, was able to identify her and provided her name to deputies from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office. This information prompted law enforcement to locate Hall as quickly as possible to address the reported gunfire.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., deputies from Bartow County, with assistance from a Cartersville Police Department officer, found Hall’s vehicle near the intersection of State Route 20/Canton Highway and Conference Center Drive in Cartersville. Due to the serious nature of the earlier firearm discharge report, law enforcement officers conducted a felony traffic stop to safely detain Hall and investigate further.
During the stop, authorities say Hall exited her vehicle carrying a firearm. Deputies and the assisting officer issued multiple verbal commands for her to drop the weapon. According to law enforcement accounts provided during interviews with GBI agents, Hall did not comply with these commands, leading to a dangerous standoff. As a result, officers discharged their weapons during the confrontation.
Hall was fatally wounded at the scene. The GBI has not released specific details about what exactly triggered the initial gunfire or the moments immediately before the shooting. The investigation into the officer-involved shooting is ongoing as part of standard procedure. Once the review is complete, the case will be sent to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office for further examination.
No officers were injured during the encounter. The GBI emphasized their commitment to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation. Meanwhile, community members await answers as authorities continue to review the facts behind this tragic event. Officials are asking for patience as they work to bring clarity and accountability to this serious incident.