Suspect dies after McDonald's threat led to Bartow deputy shooting

A Bartow County deputy fired their weapon Tuesday morning after a person allegedly pulled a gun on an employee at a McDonald's on Joe Frank Harris Parkway SE. 

What we know:

Deputies responded around 6:30 a.m. to the McDonald's located at 1370 Frank Harris Parkway SE in Cartersville. 

A deputy fired their weapon during the incident, prompting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to take over the investigation. 

Police tape was placed around the nearby Grassdale Suites, located right next to the McDonald's. The Bartow County Coroner's Office confirmed to FOX 5's Kevyn Stewart that the suspect involved in the shooting has died. 

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Authorities are investigating after an officer was involved in a shooting in Bartow County on August 11, 2026. (FOX 5)

What they're saying:

Authorities have not confirmed further details, however witnesses described to FOX 5 Atlanta what they saw.

A woman staying at the motel said she was asleep when she heard gunshots fired. 

"I was asleep, and I heard shots and I came out to see what happened. I asked my friend buddy what happened. He said the guy there was an officer are already here, and they just started shooting," Christy Chastain said. 

Another witness, Michael Carpenter, said that the person went to McDonald's and was waving a gun around and an officer responded. 

Carpenter said he heard the officer tell the man to put his hands up, but the man instead pulled out a gun and the two exchanged shots. 

Carpenter claims that both the officer and man were injured by the gunfire. 

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet confirmed any further details regarding the incident. It remains unconfirmed by official sources whether the deputy was injured or what caused the confrontation to escalate. 

The Source: The information in this story was gathered from witness statements, as well as official details provided by the Bartow County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 

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